Cujas, Jacques

Cujas or Cujacius, Jacques (zhäk küzhäs`, kyjā`shəs), 1522–90, French jurist and scholar of Roman law. He taught at Toulouse, Bourges, and elsewhere. Unlike previous scholars, he was relatively unconcerned with the practical applications of Roman law and wished primarily to study the ancient texts in their relation to history and literature. He is often considered the founder of the historical school of jurisprudence. Much of his critical effort was directed toward reconstructing in the original form the excerpts from eminent Roman jurists quoted in the Corpus Juris Civilis. Cujas prepared critical editions of works of Ulpian and Paulus.