Gaspar Lax facts for kids

Gaspar Lax (born 1487, died 23 February 1560) was a smart Spanish person. He was good at math, logic, and philosophy. Logic is the study of correct reasoning. Philosophy is the study of knowledge and existence. He spent much of his working life in Paris, France.

A Life of Learning

Gaspar Lax was born in Sariñena, Spain. His father, also named Gaspar Lax, was a doctor. Gaspar had two brothers and four sisters. He studied at the University of Saragossa. There, he earned a master's degree. He learned about the Seven Liberal Arts. These were important subjects like grammar, logic, math, and music.

Later, Gaspar Lax moved to Paris, France. From 1507 to 1508, he taught at the Collège de Calvi. Then he taught at the Collège de Montaigu. He was also a student there himself. His teacher was John Mair. In Paris, people called him the "Prince of Sophists." Sophists were teachers of philosophy and public speaking. His lessons and writings were very popular.

Gaspar Lax taught in Paris until 1516. Then he went back to Spain. Some people believe that King Charles V's helpers tried to make him a High Master. This is like a main professor at the University of Saragossa. They also tried to get Erasmus a similar job. But it did not happen.

Instead, Gaspar Lax became a teacher at the University of Huesca in 1516. He taught there until 1520. Then he became the High Master of the University of Saragossa. This job was like being a dean. He was also a vice-chancellor and rector. At the same time, he was one of the four Masters of Arts. This was like being a professor in the Arts faculty.

His brilliant nephew, Michael Servetus, was a student at the same university. In 1525, Michael Servetus also became one of the four Masters of Arts. During this time, Gaspar Lax had friends who followed Erasmus's ideas. He allowed Erasmus's books to be read and taught at the university. Gaspar Lax remained the High Master of the University of Saragossa. He taught Arts until he died in Saragossa in 1560. He was blind and had gout in his hands.

Writings and Books

Gaspar Lax wrote many important books. These books were about math, logic, and philosophy. Here are some of his famous works:

• Tractatus exponibilitum Propositionum, 1507
• De Syllogismis, 1509
• De Solubilibus et Insolubilibus, 1511
• De Oppositionibus Propositionum cathegoricarum et earum Aequipollentiis, 1512
• De Impositionibus y Obligationes, 1512
• Arithmetica speculativa, 1515
• Proportiones, 1515
• De proportionibus arithmeticis, 1515
• Quaestiones phisicales, 1527

Images for kids

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  A friendly robot.

See also

In Spanish: Gaspar Lax para niños