Robert de Sorbon  Robert de Sorbon,  (born October 9, 1201—died
August 15, 1274), French theologian, confessor to King Louis IX,
and founder of the Sorbonne, a collegiate building that became
identified with the University of Paris.  Born into a poor rural
family, Sorbon was educated in Reims and in Paris, where his
piety and diligence drew the patronage of the comte d’Artois and
King Louis IX. In 1251 he became canon of Cambrai. His
importance and influence with the king grew until 1258, when he
was appointed canon of Paris and chaplain to the court.  Sorbon
began to teach in about 1253, and in 1257 he obtained property
upon which, with the aid of the king, he founded the Maison de
Sorbonne, a theological college for poor students. The Sorbonne
received official sanction from the pope in 1259 and rapidly
grew into a major European centre of learning and the core of
the University of Paris. Sorbon himself was chancellor of the
university from 1258 and continued to advocate widespread access
to higher educatio