Christian Cyclopedia

(perhaps ca. 1483/95–1553). Satirist; humorist; b. near Chinon, Indre-et-Loire dept., NW cen. Fr., on the Vienne R.; Franciscan, then Benedictine, then secular priest; taught at U. of Montpelier; physician; traveled, held various positions, finally a parish at Meudon from 1552. Works include Pantagruel and Gargantua, issued under pseudonym Alcofribas Nasier (anagram of his name) and satirizing the monastic ideal, superstitious veneration of saints, old-fashioned educ., and university theology.