St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) was an Italian Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian, renowned for his influential contributions to medieval philosophy and theology. Born in Aosta, Italy, Anselm joined the Benedictine monastery at Bec in Normandy, where he became abbot and later was appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Anselm is best known for his ontological argument for the existence of God, articulated in his work *Proslogion*, which seeks to prove God’s existence through reason. His theological writings emphasized the harmony of faith and reason and explored the nature of God, the atonement, and the necessity of divine grace.

Anselm faced challenges during his archbishopric, including conflicts with King William II of England, leading to his temporary exile. He was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1494 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1722. St. Anselm is celebrated for his intellectual rigor and is considered a key figure in the development of scholastic thought. His feast day is observed on April 21.