Alexander Morus

Alexander Morus (or Moir or More) was a Calvinist preacher of Scottish extraction, working in the Netherlands in the 1650s. In 1654, John Milton launched a vitriolic attack upon him in the mistaken belief that he was the author of a Royalist work containing a "rabid" attack on Milton, called "Regii sanguinis clamor ad coelum" (Cry of the King's blood to Heaven against the English parricides).

Morus deserves much credit for protecting the identity of the real author, Pierre Du Moulin, who actually lived in Oxford, when he could have revealed it to divert the blame.

Milton then launched a second attack after Morus's reply. As a result of this dispute, Morus had to flee to Charenton, in France.

Biography

Alexander Morus was born in 1616 and died in 1670. In 1648, he was professor of theology, pastor and dean of the Academy in Geneva.

References

The Life of John Milton, Volume 5 (of 7), 1654-1660 David MassonAlexandri Mori ecclesiastae & sacrarum litterarum professoris fides publica. Contra calumnias Ioannis Miltoni, Hagae-Comitum (S'Gravenhage): Vlacq, 1654.