Geert Groote

Geert Groote (1340–1384) was a Dutch theologian and founder of the Brethren of the Common Life, a lay religious community that emphasized education and personal spirituality. He championed the idea that laypeople could lead a devout life outside traditional monastic settings. Groote's writings and teachings promoted a focus on inner piety, humility, and the study of Scriptures, influencing the later development of humanism and the Renaissance. His movement significantly contributed to religious reform and the advancement of education in the late Middle Ages, highlighting the importance of individual spirituality and moral character.