# Meister Eckhart

Medieval German Dominican friar, theologian, and mystic who pioneered vernacular spiritual instruction and faced papal heresy charges.

**Lived:** 1260–1328 (b. Tambach, near Gotha, Landgraviate of Thuringia, Holy Roman Empire)
**Nationality:** German
**Training:** Dominican convent at Erfurt (c. 1278); studied at Cologne (before 1280); possibly University of Paris; ordained to priesthood by 1294
**Affiliation:** Dominican Order; Catholic Church

## Key works

- *Reden der Unterweisung (Talks of Instruction / Counsels on Discernment)* (1295)
- *Liber Benedictus (Book Benedictus)*
- *Daz buoch der götlîchen trœstunge (The Book of Divine Consolation)*
- *Von dem edeln menschen (Of the Nobleman)*
- *Expositio sancti Evangelii secundum Iohannem (Commentary on John)*
- *Prologus generalis in Opus tripartitium (General Prologue to the Three-Part Work)*