![[Paolo Sarpi]](ncd07617.jpg "27kb jpg detail of a portrait of Paolo Sarpi; swiped off the Wikipedia web site; please do not write to ask about the image")
Servite, statesman, and anti-papal historian.
Born on 15 August 1552 in Venice, Italy; died there on 15 January 1623.
He taught philosophy in his monastery, was made provincial for the Venetian Republic in 1579, pro-curator general from 1585 to 1588, and became hostile to Rome when three times rejected as nominee for a episcopal see.
Under the protection of the Doge and Senate, he was appointed theological consultor, effected the enactment of anti-ecclesiastical laws, and caused the papal interdict upon Venice to be revoked.
His History of the Council of Trent is a bitter invective against the popes.
New Catholic Dictionary
