1548-1600. Italian philosopher. He entered
the Dominican order of monks 1563, but his
sceptical attitude to Catholic doctrines
forced him to flee Italy 1577. After visiting
Geneva and Paris, he lived in England
1583-85, where he wrote some of his finest
works. After returning to Europe, he was
arrested by the Inquisition 1593 in Venice
and burned at the stake for his adoption of
Copernican astronomy and his heretical
religious views.