Suger of France

Suger was born of peasant parents around 1081. He was given as an oblate to the abbey of St. Denis, where he received his education and became a secretary to the abbot. He rose to prominence as a statesman and a historian, serving as an adviser to kings Louis VI and VII. He was also a reformer and a patron of the arts, especially of the Gothic style of architecture. He supervised the reconstruction of the abbey church of Saint-Denis, which is considered the first Gothic building. He also wrote extensively on the history of France and the abbey, as well as on the theology and symbolism of art. He died of malaria in 1151 and was buried in the church he had helped to build. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 12th century.