Gratian (jurist)

Gratian (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Franciscus Gratianus, Johannes Gratian, or Giovanni Graziano) was a 12th century jurist who wrote the Decretum Gratiani. He was part of the formation of Catholic canon law, and has long been acclaimed as Pater Juris Canonici (Latin, "Father of Canon Law"), a title he shares with his successor St. Raymond of Peñafort.