Gilbert Crispin
- Died:
- c. 1117
- Subjects Of Study:
- St. Anselm of Canterbury
- theology
Gilbert Crispin (died c. 1117) was an English cleric, biblical exegete, and proponent of the thought of St. Anselm of Canterbury.
Of noble birth, Gilbert was educated and later became a monk at the monastery of Bec, in Normandy, where Anselm was abbot. Gilbert served as abbot of Westminster Abbey from about 1085 until his death. A black marble effigy of Gilbert is the oldest effigy at Westminster Abbey and survived the rebuilding of the church and its cloisters in the time of Henry III.
Gilbert’s exegesis was deeply influenced by his friendship with Anselm and his acquaintance with a Jewish man from Mainz. His skillful writings include Disputatio Iudaei et Christiani, in which a dialogue on the Christian faith is carried out between Gilbert and his Jewish acquaintance. Other historical and doctrinal works are De Simoniacis, De Spiritu Sancto, and Disputatio Christiani cum gentilli.
