The Father of the School of Salamanca: Francisco de Vitoria
The 16th-century philosopher and theologian Francisco de Vitoria defended economic liberty as a moral right.
The 16th-century Dominican theologian Francisco de Vitoria has been hailed as the father of international law. Vitoria’s teachings at the University of Salamanca shaped the foundation of modern natural law and human rights, from his pioneering defense of indigenous rights in the New World to his profound contributions to political theory.