Erasmus of Rotterdam (1469–1536) was the son of a priest and became a priest himself. In 1517 he was released by the pope from his holy vows, becoming an advisor to the emperor Charles V. He published papers critical of the practices of the Church; eventually he became the father of European humanism. He translated the classics, books of the church fathers and the New Testament into Latin in a critical way. His collection of proverbs helped shed new light on ancient literature and influenced religion, art and sciences. (M 32791) _ _.