Jose de Acosta (Acosta Jose de)

(ca. 1539-1600)
Born in Medina del Campo (Spain). In 1570 became a Jesuit, went to a missionary in Peru, where he taught theology at Ocana, in 1576-1581 was the second provincial of the Jesuits in Peru,. He returned to Spain in 1587, at the end of life - the rector of the Jesuit college at Salamanca. In Peru, Acosta wrote a catechism in Quechua and Aymara (1583). Sympathetic attitude toward the Indians, as well as understanding their nature and problems evident from other work - On attaining salvation Indians (De procuranda indorum salute), published in Spain in 1588. The most important work of Acosta Natural and moral history of India (Historia natural y moral de las Indias, 1590) was translated into many languages and was highly appreciated by Alexander von Humboldt. Acosta died in Salamanca on 15 February 1600.