caption death_date death_place birth_place image_size parents birth_date article_title name occupation
malta 's major medaeval philosopher 6 april 1639 catania , sicily . senglea , malta 180px john vincent rispoli x catherine 17 august 1582 john matthew rispoli
 john matthew rispoli philosopher , theologian , author and musician
john matthew rispoli

john matthew rispoli -lrb- 17 august 1582 -- 6 april 1639 -rrb- was a major maltese philosopher of great erudition .
he was held in high esteem by the grand masters of the knights hospitaller order , the bishops of malta , the viceroys of sicily , cardinals , bishops , inquisitors , and the common people .
perhaps the most eminent maltese philosopher of the middle ages , the various extant writings of his are witness to his philosophical aptitude and dexterity as to his high calibre as a philosopher .
these qualities were highly appreciated during his lifetime , in malta as in france and italy .
he lived a busy life , both as an intellectual and as an administrator .
he was professor of philosopher at various institutions of high education , an able preacher , and an official at various posts within the dominican order , of which his was a member .
he was an avid aficionado of music , and was talented with playing musical instruments .
though the fame of holiness accompanied him in his life , this did not deter the inquisition from suspecting him of heresy , and keeping him in its dungeons for fourteen whole months .
when he died , he was given an almost state funeral .
