An authoritative study of the life and work of the philosopher, theologian and writer Erasamus. It examines his unusual and arresting personality, while revealing the impact of his work on contemporary thought. The authors investigate the development of Erasmus' "philosophy of Christ", the tensions between this concept of reform, the more disruptive, revolutionary aspects of the Protestant Reformation, as well as the wider influence of his thinking in its political, philisophical and historical contexts.