Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch scholar and humanist known for his sharp wit and social commentary. His satirical book, The Praise of Folly, playfully criticized society and religion, shaping Renaissance humanist thought.
If you enjoy reading books by Desiderius Erasmus then you might also like the following authors:
If you appreciate Erasmus, you'll probably like Thomas More as well. More often blends sharp satire and thoughtful social criticism, much like Erasmus himself. His most famous book, Utopia, imagines an ideal society governed by reason, equality, and communal values.
The humorous yet insightful style reflects More's keen observation of political realities.
Martin Luther is known for his bold, direct style and deep concern for religious reform. His treatise The Freedom of a Christian clearly explains his belief in salvation by faith alone, challenging established religious ideas.
Like Erasmus, Luther questions church corruption, but he takes a more radical stance toward reform.
For readers interested in educational and religious reform, John Colet offers an intriguing voice. In works such as Convocation Sermon, Colet encourages a straightforward return to early Christian simplicity, emphasizing sincerity and moral improvement.
His accessible, persuasive style aligns closely with Erasmus's vision of practical, everyday faith.
Philipp Melanchthon has a very clear and balanced writing style that emphasizes education and humanistic learning in relation to faith. His work Loci Communes systematically organizes key Protestant doctrines in an easy-to-follow, logical format.
Readers of Erasmus might enjoy Melanchthon's thoughtful approach and practical emphasis on human understanding.
Guillaume Budé, a leading French humanist, shares Erasmus's strong appreciation for classical texts and clear reasoning. His important book, Commentarii Linguae Graecae, is dedicated to studying Greek language and culture, highlighting the value of classical scholarship.
Readers intrigued by Erasmus's deep respect for ancient learning will find common ground in Budé.
Juan Luis Vives was a humanist thinker who deeply valued education, morality, and social responsibility. If you enjoy Erasmus's thoughtful critiques of society and belief in human potential, you'll probably like Vives's clear and practical style.
In his work On the Education of a Christian Woman, he offers insights on education and moral instruction, strongly advocating for women's intellectual growth, which was quite progressive for his time.
Lorenzo Valla approached language with sharp wit and careful analysis, much like Erasmus did. He valued clarity and precision in writing, taking pleasure in questioning established authorities and beliefs.
His famous work On the Donation of Constantine exposes a major forgery in the Catholic Church, using linguistic and historical evidence to dismantle false claims.
Petrarch was an early figure who shaped the humanist movement, emphasizing human emotion, personal reflection, and appreciation of classical texts.
Readers who appreciate Erasmus's blend of personal study and thoughtful exploration of culture and morality will find a kindred spirit in Petrarch.
In his book Secretum, Petrarch openly explores his inner struggles through imagined conversations, displaying deep self-awareness and earnest spirituality.
Pico della Mirandola believed in the limitless potential and dignity of human beings. Like Erasmus, he explored questions of faith, human nature, and philosophy from a thoughtful humanist perspective, often challenging traditional ideas.
His famous essay, Oration on the Dignity of Man, reflects a spirited optimism for human abilities and philosophical freedom, showing people as capable of shaping their own destiny.
Marsilio Ficino, another thoughtful humanist, was fascinated by both classical philosophy and spirituality. His style combines deep philosophical reflection with sincere spirituality, which will appeal to admirers of Erasmus.
His key work, Theologia Platonica, blends Platonic philosophy with Christian ideas, promoting a balance between reasoned thinking and spiritual contemplation.
François Rabelais was a French writer and humanist known for his sharp wit and satirical style. His book, Gargantua and Pantagruel, is an imaginative and humorous critique of society, church, and education.
If you like Erasmus's satirical voice in In Praise of Folly, you’ll enjoy Rabelais's playful yet sharp exploration of human folly and absurdities.
Michel de Montaigne was a French Renaissance thinker whose writing feels personal and conversational. In his collection Essays, Montaigne reflects thoughtfully on human nature, experience, and reason, themes familiar to readers of Erasmus.
If you appreciate Erasmus's thoughtful insights and humanist spirit, Montaigne's honest and engaging observations will resonate with you.
Ulrich von Hutten was a German scholar and writer active during the Renaissance, known for passionate humanist ideals and sharp social criticisms. His bold, direct style confronts moral corruption and advocates reform.
In his work Letters of Obscure Men, Hutten satirically targets scholasticism and abuses in education, themes similar to those Erasmus explored.
Sebastian Brant was a German author who used satire and moral commentary to expose and critique societal failings. His most famous work, The Ship of Fools, is a satirical poem highlighting human stupidity through sharp humor and clear moral lessons.
Fans of Erasmus's humorous critique on human folly will appreciate Brant's witty and engaging satire.
Rudolph Agricola was a Dutch humanist and scholar, known for clear and persuasive writing. He promoted classical education and emphasized careful reasoning and eloquence.
His book De Inventione Dialectica provides a fresh and influential approach to logical thinking and rhetoric. Those who admire Erasmus's focus on humanist education and reasoned argument will find Agricola's approach appealing.