About Albert Magnus

Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus) devoted his life to study, travel, and observation in a century filled not only with strife and struggles, but also with peace, discovery, and new learning.

Albert, born Count von Bollstadt in Lauingen, West Germany, about 1200, was an outstanding scientist and pioneer in the movement toward increased reliance on empirical observation and experimentation. His genius is reflected in his writings which cover the principles of astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, geography, meteorology, mineralogy, physiology, psychology and zoology as well as philosophy and theology.

According to tradition, Albert was a short man, but of sturdy physical build. The title of “Great” was an epithet he seems to have held through the centuries, but in his own times he most frequently was recognized as Albert of Cologne. The appellation “Great” became immortalized by reason of the universality of his intellectual interests.

It is not surprising that he, as a young man, should have been attracted to a new religious Order founded by Dominic Guzman in 1215. The chief works of this congregation were teaching and preaching and Albert excelled in both of these areas. After becoming a Dominican Friar in 1223, he filled the role of lector until 1243 during which time he taught in the various houses of this new Order of Preachers. Between 1243 and 1248, Albert was a professor at the University of Paris. Then he went to Cologne to become Regent of Studies for the Dominicans. During this time, 1248 to 1252, Thomas Aquinas (having come from Paris), was one of Albert’s students.

In 1254, Albert was elected Provincial of the Dominicans of Teutonia. He resigned this role in 1257 and again became Regent of Studies. Pope Alexander IV appointed Albert to be Bishop of Ratisbon in 1260. Albert resigned this position in 1262. Thus relieved of all administrative duties, Albert again dedicated his time and energies to studying, teaching, preaching, and writing until his death in 1280.

Albert the Great reported the truth as he saw it, whether in matters of theology or natural science. He was curious about the philosophic system of Aristotle at a time when it was not popular to do so. In Albert we see a cleric not only able to recognize the value of Aristotelian learning, but also one who for the first time threw open to the Christian world the whole philosophic system of Aristotle and made its treasure of knowledge available to scholasticism. At a time when the major works of Aristotle were just finding their way into the Christian world, Albert was in the forefront of those who saw no conflict between science and the Christian faith.

Albert was among those who began questioning long-standing theories of previous centuries. He did not follow earlier or contemporary authors blindly; he frequently rejected their beliefs because of his own contrasting views and observations. In his book on plants, Albert wrote, “Experiment is the only safe guide in such investigations”; in his treatise about minerals, Albert concluded that “the aim of science is not simply to accept the statements of others, but to investigate the causes that are at work in nature.”

In the year 1931, Pope Pius XI declared Albert the Great ”Saint of the Catholic Church, and Patron of Science and of Peace.” Saint Albert the Great took his place among the Doctors of the Universal Church beside his student Saint Thomas Aquinas. Ten years later, in 1941, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Saint Albert the Great to be the “Patron of Students in the Natural Sciences.”

It is with great reason, then, that the science building on the campus of a college itself named for Saint Thomas Aquinas was named for Albertus Magnus in 1960. Saint Albert the Great continues to be a model and forerunner of modern science in an age which so anxiously desires peace and so ardently prides itself on scientific achievements. Albert, who in his day - through his powers of observation - made possible the study and description of the whole universe - “from the stones to the stars” - serves as an example and model for today’s students and scientists.

In 1980, 700 years after his death, scientists continue to contemplate these words so familiar to Albert: “For the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes are plainly observable, being perceived through created things - His eternal power, namely, and divinity” (Romans 1:20).

Groundbreaking for Albertus Hall

- By: Sr. Jean Paul Tillman, O.P., PhD.

St. Albert's Window

St. Andreas Church in Cologne, Germany, is home to the burial chapel of Albert Magnus. Created in 1954 and housed in the choir of St. Andreas, St. Albert's Window (left), depicts scenes from St. Albert's life (1200-1280) including: Albert as a Dominican, a philosopher, a theologian, a naturalist, from his childhood up to his death, including his activities as a professor, as a provincial of his order, as a peacemaker and as a bishop.

Download (pdf): >>A closer, more detailed view of St. Albert's Window.