Antonius Sanderus

Antoon Sanderus (September 15, 1586 - January 10 or January 16, 1664), born in Antwerp, was a Flemish historian, philologian and theologian.

Sanderus studied theology in Leuven and Douai. After being ordained a priest in Ghent, Sanderus served as priest in Oosteeklo. He was an opponent of anabaptism in Flanders.

As a writer he Latinized his name from Antoon Sanderus to Antonius Sanderus. His greatest work is his richly illustrated "Flandria Illustrata, Sive Descriptio Comitatus per totem terrarum orbem celeberrimi" (first print in Cologne, 1641-44). Of this work two Books were published, the others remained unfinished at his death. The book contains a description and history of various Flemish towns and cities.

Other works written by Sanderus are a hagiography "Hagiologium Flandriae sive de sanctis eius provinciae" (first printed in Antwerp, 1625); a poem on Peter Paul Rubens (September 1621); an inventory of manuscripts held by various libraries "Bibliotheca belgica manuscripta" (first printed in Lille, 1641-43) and a history of Brabantian abbies and monasteries "Chorographia sacra Brabantiae" (Brussels, 1659).

Sanderus died in the abbey of Affligem on 10 or 16 January 1664, the exact date being unknown.