Theologian and nominalist philosopher, born in Compiègne, NE France. He became Chancellor of the University of Paris and Bishop of Compiègne, was appointed cardinal (1411) and papal legate (1413) by the antipope John XXIII. Head of the reform party at the Council of Constance (1414–18) he championed its primacy over the pope. He was prominent in the election of Pope Martin V in 1417, an event which ended the Great Schism.
