Arnold Vinnius
Encyclopedia
Arnold Vinnius was one of the leading jurists of the 17th century in the Netherlands.
s he presented a systematic and coherent body of Law.
His best known work is a Commentary on the Institutions, in which Dutch Law was given an historical and philosophical background. This work, printed in Latin, was published through Europe, where it was widely influential. The philosopher David Hume
recalled being required to read it while studying Law in Edinburgh. In Spain an edition of the work which had been "cleansed" by the inquisition of teaching contrary to the Catholic Church on marriage was published. The Commentary follows, in many respects sometimes verbatim, Hugo Grotius' work on the Roman-Dutch Law.
Life
Vinnius attended the University of Leiden from 1603 where he read law. He gained his degree in 1612. His most important teacher was Gerardus Tuningius, who had been a student of Hugo Donellus. Vinnius aspired to an academic career, and in 1618 began teaching at the University of Leiden. He was initially not considered for promotion to a professorship as he had previously expressed pejorative views on the professors, so it was not until 1633 the position of Extraordinarius Professor Institutionum was created for him. He retained his position as professor until his death.Teaching
In Vinnius' doctrine the influence of Hugo Donellus is noticeable. Unlike the medieval GlossatorGlossator
The scholars of the 11th and 12th century legal schools in Italy, France and Germany are identified as glossators in a specific sense. They studied Roman Law based on the Digestae, the Codex of Justinian, the Authenticae The scholars of the 11th and 12th century legal schools in Italy, France and...
s he presented a systematic and coherent body of Law.
His best known work is a Commentary on the Institutions, in which Dutch Law was given an historical and philosophical background. This work, printed in Latin, was published through Europe, where it was widely influential. The philosopher David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
recalled being required to read it while studying Law in Edinburgh. In Spain an edition of the work which had been "cleansed" by the inquisition of teaching contrary to the Catholic Church on marriage was published. The Commentary follows, in many respects sometimes verbatim, Hugo Grotius' work on the Roman-Dutch Law.
External links
- Works by and about Arnold Vinnius in VD-17 (German)
- Book 1 of Commentary on the Institutions (PDF-file; 39,69 MB)