Bessarion, Cardinal (ca. 1399/1400-1472): Greek humanist, scholar, theologian, who went to Italy where he became a cardinal (1439-1472). He studied in Constantinople and Mistra with John Chortasmenos and Plethon. As metropolitan of Nicaea he participated in the Council of Ferrara-Florence at the head of the unionists. He later converted to Catholicism, became a cardinal and continued his career in Italy. He was an eminent scholar who wrote many works (theological treatises, enkomia and rhetorical works), while in Rome he headed an Academy, which provided new and more accurate translations of works of ancient Greek writers. He donated his personal manuscripts to the Marcian Library of Venice, forming its initial nucleus. He also took part in the controversy between the Aristotelians and the Platonists in the middle of the 15th century, assuming a moderate stand, until his death in 1472.