William of Champeaux [key], c.1070–1121, French scholastic philosopher. William studied and taught in Paris. In 1109 he founded the monastic school of St. Victor, which later became famous. From 1113 until his death he was bishop of Châlons-en-Champagne. Although very little of his writings has survived, William is known for his role in the dispute over the nature of universals in the Middle Ages (see realism). An extreme realist, he was forced to change his views after being overcome in a disputation with his pupil Peter Abelard.
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