Roger Bacon, also known by the scholastic accolade Doctor Mirabilis, was a medieval English polymath, philosopher, scientist, theologian and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empiricism. Intertwining his Catholic faith with scientific thinking, Roger Bacon is considered one of the greatest polymaths of the medieval period. 1214 – 1294; died at about 80. Alive at the same time as Dante Alighieri, Marco Polo, Genghis Khan, Francis of Assisi, and Fibonacci. Wiki link