Antonio da Rho

Antonio da Rho (1395–1447) was a Milanese Franciscan humanist.

Rho studied rhetoric and theology in Padua between 1414 and 1423. From 1423, he taught theology in Milan. After 1430, he held a chair in rhetoric. He also served as a court orator to Duke Filippo Maria Visconti. In 1436, he attended the Council of Basel because of his knowledge of Greek and Latin.

Rho read widely in the classics, wrote many works and engaged in several high-profile controversies. He is known for his friendship with Lorenzo Valla, which soured into an exchange of insults. Between 1429 and 1432, he attacked Antonio Beccadelli's ''Hermaphroditus''. He wrote an ''Apology'' to defend his learning against Franciscan critics and a set of three dialogues wherein he criticizes the theology of Lactantius. Provided by Wikipedia