Ferdinand Of Cordoua

, a learned Spaniard, considered as a prodigy in the fifteenth century, may be termed the Crichton of Spain, whom he resembled in the marvellous and universal knowledge attributed to him. He was well skilled in languages and the sciences; understood the Bible, the works of Nicholas Lyranus, St. Thomas, St. Bonaventura, Alexander Ales, and Scotus; with those of Aristotle, Hippocrates, Galen, Avicenna, and several law authors. He was also a brave soldier, played on several instruments, was admired for his singing and dancing, and equalled any artist of Paris in painting. It is said that he foretold the death of Charles the Rash, duke of Burgundy, and in 1445, was the admiration of all the learned at Paris. Commentaries on Ptolemy’s Almagest, and on the Apocalypse, are ascribed to him, and a treatise “De Artificio omnis scibilis,” and other works. ²