Desiderius Erasmus had an excellent early education but had to quit his education because of his parents death by the black death in 1483. After his parents' deaths, he joined the church and became a priest at 25 years old.
Desiderius Erasmus worked on translating the new testament into latin and greek, and also worked on many other works in latin and greek. But since he decided to write in the language which only the scholars knew, he did not gain many followers in his life.
Around this time, Desiderius Erasmus was asked by Martin Luther to join the reformation. Erasmus agreed that the church needed to change, but he still rejected Martin Luther's invitation to join the reformation, for he thought the reformation would bring more bad than good.
Desiderius Erasmus decided to stay neutral, but because o both sides thought him as an enemy. Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther both disagreed on man's will, for Martin Luther thought that our will is in bondage to sin while Erasmus thought that our will is free to make decisions, good or bad. They also disagreed on transubstantiation, which is the belief that the bread and water the catholic church has every month actually become Jesus's blood and flesh. Martin Luther thought that this was false while Erasmus agreed with the church.
Desiderius Erasmus died on 1536.