Michael Scott 1175-1232

                                        Michael Scott

Michael Scott (Michael Scotus) 1175-1232 was a prominent  scholar in the early Middle ages famous throughout Europe. After studying at various locations in Europe including Paris Scott travelled to Toledo in Spain where he learned Arabic. Michael Scot was born in the Scottish borders where he began studying before travelling to study in Paris. He then went to Bologna, Palermo and Toledo to study philosophy, theology, mathematics and astrology. Scott was then asked to come to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in Palermo, Sicily in 1200 where he became an advisor to the emperor. In Palermo Scott translated the commentaries of Aristotle from Arabic in to Latin. He also translated the commentaries of Averroes on the the works of Aristotle. In 1209 Scott moved to Toledo where he continued to study philosophy as well as astronomy and alchemy. By 1220 Scott had returned to Palermo where he began extensive studies in general science and in to medicine in particular. He is thought to have died around the year 1234 but that date is not confirmed. After his death Michael Scott entered in to legend appearing in both Dante’s ‘Inferno’ and Boccaccio’s ‘Decamerone’.  He appeared in later literature including most famously Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Lay of the Last Minstrel’.