Saumaise, Claude

(1588-1653)

   scholar, philologist

   Known also as Claudius Salmasius, the Latinized form of his name, Claude Saumaise was born in Auxeis. Besides his studies in law, theology, medicine, and history, he acquired a good knowledge of Greek, Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian. Joining the Reformation, he settled in Leyden, Netherlands where he taught philology. An encyclopedic scholar, Saumaise left a number of erudite works, especially on juridical and theological matters. in his writings, he attempts to show the compatibility of usury with the precepts of Christianity.