King Alfred The GreatDied 28 Oct 900 (born 849).English monarch who in the Dark Ages recognized the value of learning, not merely for himself but for the benefit of the people of his country. He not only encouraged men of learning, but he laboured himself and gave proof of his own learning. He made every effort that worthwhile Latin books should be translated into Anglo-Saxon, and brought in scholars from Wales and the Continent to assist. He did much work himself, translating the works of Boethius and Bede.[Year of death uncertain; sources vary. Asimov's Bio Enc of Sci and Tech: 28 Oct 900. Brit Auth Before 1800 (1952): 28 Oct 901. Enc Brit: only the year 899.] |
