Berent Szymon, *1585 Braniewo, †16 May 1649 Braniewo, Polish composer, SJ. On 24 June 1600, he joined the Jesuit congregation in Polotsk; educated in Braniewo, he taught subjects ranging from humanities to moral theology at Jesuit schools; he was also a preacher for many years. In 1611, he was ordained a priest. In 1619–1621, he was a professor of mathematics, Hebrew, and moral theology at the Vilnius Academy. In the years 1626–1634, he worked at the court of Albrycht S. Radziwiłł, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania, and then as chaplain to Alexander Charles Vasa, whom he accompanied on a trip to Germany and Italy in 1634. After leaving the court, he became prefect of the Pontifical Seminary and a boarding school for the poor in Braniewo, where he died. Jesuit chronicles report that he composed extensively. According to contemporary accounts (Ph. Alegambe Bibliotheca Scriptorum, Antwerp 1643), he published anonymously: Litaniarum de Nomine Iesu… for 8 voices (1638) and Litaniarum Lauretanarum de B. Virgine Maria… for 8 voices (1639).
Literature: Encyklopedia wiedzy o jezuitach na ziemiach polskich 1564–1995, ed. L. Grzebień, Krakow 1996; Słownik jezuitów muzyków i prefektów burs muzycznych, eds. L. Grzebień, J. Kochanowicz, Krakow 2002.
