Irnerius 1050-1128

University of Bologna law professor; also known as Wernerius. Date of death is not certain; estimate only.

Was a very popular teacher and students began to flock from all over Europe to be taught by him. The surge in law students meant that he had to hire other teachers and thus was formed a dedicated law school at Bologna (founded in 1088).

By 1150, his law school had over 10,000 students and contributed to the revival of the Corpus Juris Civilis and the spread of Roman law throughout Europe.

Irnerius earned the moniker lucerna juris (the light of the law).

Irnerius tried to make his own contribution to Roman law by updating it to medieval developments, his best known publication called Summa Codicis. He was no mild-mannerred law professor. He was not being afraid to speak out on political issues of his time.

The Germans in the development of their branch of Roman and civil law, greatly admired Irnerius and his work.

His greatest achievement may have been the timely support he gave to Roman law as it lay between the time-stations of Justinian's great work (the Corpus) and the development, from Roman law, of civil law systems, particularly in Europe.