Abelard

PIERRE, (ah-ba-lar'.) A French scholar, B. at Palais, near Nantes, 1079, celebrated for his learning and genius, opened a school in Paris in 1103, where he taught philosophy with great succe . He was the first who applied philosophical criticism to theology; but his romantic liaison with Héloise has principally contributed to hand his name down to modern times. D. 1142. [s. 3]