Melchior Cano
(1509-1560) Dominican theologian, born Tarancn, Spain; died Toledo. Educated at Salamanca and the College of Saint Gregory, Valladolid, he taught philosophy and theology, obtaining the first chair of theology at Alcala , and succeeding his former master, Francis de Victoria, at Salamanca, 1546 . He rendered important service in the deliberations and achievements of the Council of Trent. In 1552 Charles V presented him for the bishopric of the Canary Islands, but he resigned soon after preconization. He was rector of Saint Gregory’s College at Valladolid, 1553 , and prior of Saint Stephen’s at Salamanca, 1557 . His election as provincial of his order was contested, but finally confirmed by Pius IV. His great work “De locistheologicis,” ranking with the best productions of the Renaissance, is a treatise on theological method, the outcome of a movement to restore the best patristic learning and to give to theological science a purer diction and an improved literary form.