William of Ockham
~1287–1347 · English · Late Middle Ages
Known for: Invented Ockham's Razor — the simplest explanation is usually the best — then used it to fight the Pope
William of Ockham was a Franciscan friar and philosopher best known for 'Ockham's Razor' — the principle that entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity (the simplest explanation is preferred). He applied this razor to theology, politics, and metaphysics with devastating effect.
He was excommunicated for his views on papal authority and fled to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, where he spent the rest of his life arguing that the Pope had no temporal power.
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