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The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Saint Augustine (354–430)
Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustinus). The most illustrious of the Latin fathers of the Church, and of patristic writers; born in Tagaste, Numidia, Nov. 13, 354; died at Hippo, Aug. 28, 430. His most celebrated works are his ‘Confessions’ (397); ‘City of God’ (413–426); and ‘Epistles’ (386–429), beside much controversial writing. After his interest in religion was aroused he followed Manichæism for nine years. Through association with Ambrose he became interested in Christianity and was baptized in 387. In 395 he was made bishop of Hippo. His philosophical theories of grace and free-will were developed in the long wars upon his old friends the Manichæans, and the Donatists, a puristic sect. (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).