Antoon Sanders

Antonius Sanderus (15 September 1586 – 10 January 1664) was a Flemish Catholic cleric and historian.

Biography

Sanderius was born Antoon Sanders, but, like all writers and scholars of his time, he Latinized his name to Antonius Sanderus. Having become master of philosophy at the University of Douai in 1609, he studied theology for some years under Johannes Malderus (Jan van Malderen) at the University of Leuven, and Willem Hessels van Est (Estius) at the Douai, and was ordained priest at Ghent.

For some years he was engaged in parochial duties, and combated the Anabaptist movement in Flanders with great zeal and success. In 1625 he became secretary and almoner of Cardinal Alphonsus de la Cueva, later becoming canon, and in 1654 penitentiary at Ypres. After three years, however, he resigned this office to devote himself entirely to scientific, and especially to historical studies. He soon found himself compelled to claim the hospitality of the Benedictine Abbey of Afflighem, since he had reduced himself to absolute poverty by the publication of numerous works.