Peter Abelard was a French philosopher, logician, theologian, composer, and poet, regarded as one of the most brilliant and controversial theologians of his time. Born at Pallet, near Nantes, he became a popular lecturer in Paris, but his academic career was cut short after his love affair with his student and eventual wife, Héloïse d'Argenteuil. Their relationship and philosophical exchange later became the aspect of his life for which he is best known in history and popular culture. 1079 – 1142; died at about 63. Alive at the same time as Omar Khayyám, Averroes, Frederick Barbarossa, Anselm of Canterbury, and Zhu Xi. Wiki link