Agostinho Barbosa


Agostinho Barbosa was a prolific Portuguese writer on canon law. His work included dictionary-type surveys of the legal elements.

Life

Having studied canon law in Portugal, he went to Rome. Being without the means to purchase books, he memorized their contents in libraries. About 1632 he went to Madrid, where he applied himself to writing and fulfilled various duties confided to him until 1648. He was consecrated Bishop of Ugento in Rome on 22 March 1649.

Works

His works fill at least 30 volumes. They show intimate acquaintance with authors, sources, and controversial questions such as the following:
All the canonical works of Barbosa were published at Lyons, 1657–75, in 19 vols. In quinto, 16 vols. in folio, and again, 1698–1716, 20 vols. in quinto, 18 vols. in folio.