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The eighth centenary of the publication of the "Decretum Gratiani" was commemorated by an issue of two air-mail stamps on December 20, 1951. Francis Gratian (Franciscus Gratianus) was born in central Italy, near Florence, at the beginning of the twelfth century. Little is known of his early life until he became a Camaldolese Monk, an order of barefooted hermits founded in 1012. Because of his great knowledge and resourcefulness he was called to teach Theology at the University of Bologna, and resided at the Camaldolese Monastery of Saints Felix and Nabor.
 
Later he assembled all the existing Church Laws that had been adopted since the beginning of the Church and placed them in a neat and orderly form. This work became known as the Decretum Gratiani, (Decree of Gratian). Although this tremendous undertaking was widely used and regarded as authoritative, it never was officially sanctioned and adopted by the Holy See. Even so, this first real attempt at codification of Canon Law earned for Franciscus Gratianus the title of, "Codifier of Canon Law."
 
Upon his death in 1160, a monument was erected in his honor in the Church of St. Petronius in Bologna.

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