Albertus Magnus -St. Albert the Great (c.1200-1280)

Albert of Cologne ( known under 3 names) was a German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist and bishop.

An encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary convinced him to enter Holy Orders. In 1223 or 1229 and he became a member of the Dominican Order.

He lectured in Cologne, Regensburg, Freiburg, Strasburg and Hildesheim. He became a full time professor at th e University of Paris holding the seat of the Chair of Theology at the college of St. James. Thomas Aquinas was one of his students.

In 1254 he was made provincial of the Dominican Order and fulfilled the duties of the office with great care and efficiency.
In 1258 he sorted out the* der Grofie Schied*- the big verdict- to sort out the conflict between the citizens of Cologne and the archbishop.

In 1260 Pope Alexander IV made him bishop of Rogensburg. To enhance his reputation for humility, and in accord with the dictates of the his Order, he refused to ride a horse, he walked his huge diocese on foot.

In 1263 Pope Urban IV asked him to preach the eighth Crusade in German speaking countries.

He became known as a mediator between conflicting parties.
He founded Cologne University, German’s oldest university.

In 1274 he grieved when his former student Thomas Aquinas died.

In 1278 he became ill and died on 15th November 1280. He was possibly 87 when he died.

During his life time he studied many different subjects. For the breadth of his achievements he was bestowed the name Doctor Universalis.
His knowledge of natural science was considerable for the age and remarkably accurate. In 1899 his writing were collected and went to 38 volumes.

Scholars have referred to Albert as the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages.

In 1931 the Catholic Church distinguished him as one of the 37 Doctors of the Church ).

Source
Wikipedia