Irnerius was a prominent Italian jurist and scholar during the late 11th and early 12th centuries. He is often regarded as the founder of the school of Bologna, which became a leading center for legal studies in medieval Europe. His work focused on the study and interpretation of Roman law, particularly the texts of Justinian. Irnerius is best known for his contributions to the revival of classical legal scholarship. He introduced the method of glossing, where scholars would write explanatory notes on legal texts. This approach helped to systematize and clarify legal principles, influencing the development of civil law in Europe.