SOURCE: “Johann Tauler” in The Great German Mystics: Eckhart, Tauler, and Suso, Basil Blackwell, 1949, pp. 36-54.

In the following essay, Clark offers an overview of Tauler’s life and works, describes his use of language, and traces his varying critical reception over the centuries.

The ascertained facts about Tauler’s life are not as numerous as one could wish, but there is no doubt about his birthplace. He was a native of Strasbourg and was born about 1300. There are various references to the Tauler family in Strasbourg charters between 1312 and 1349, from which it appears that they were prominent citizens and property owners in that city. It has been conjectured that Nikolaus Tauler, described as a citizen and magistrate, who witnessed a deed of gift to the Dominicans in 1319, was the father of Johann. This at least is certain, our friar was the son of a wealthy man; for...