Simon of Tournai

Simon of Tournai (c. 1130–1201) was a professor at the University of Paris in the late twelfth century. His date of birth is uncertain, but he was teaching before 1184, as he signed a document at the same time as Gerard de Pucelle, the Bishop of Coventry, who died that year.

Simon taught philosophy for ten years, and was said to be brilliant. Then he moved on to teaching theology, with equal success. He used the writings of Aristotle, whose works were becoming known, and other philosophical works. This eventually brought suspicion upon him from the enemies of the new philosophy. All of his surviving works show an orthodox Catholicism.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Simon of Tournai". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.