Inquisitor - Definition and Overview

An official in an Inquisition, an Inquisitor is literally one who "searches out" or "inquires" (Latin inquirere < quaerere, "to seek"). The Grand Inquisitor, or Inquisitor Generalis, was the chief Inquisitor of an Inquisition.

Prominent inquisitors

Some of the more well-known inquisitors throughout history include:

• Bernard Gui
• Diego Deza
• Fabio Chigi (later Pope Alexander VII)
• Francisco Peña
• Konrad von Marburg
• Pedro de Arbués
• Tomás de Torquemada

Inquisitors are also prominent in the Warhammer 40,000 Universe, mysterious shadowy figures hunting out the corruption and taint of Chaos wherever it may lurk, as well as eliminating influences of aliens, and the actions of heretics and traitors.

There is also a game with the name Inquisitor which rulebook is available free: http://www.specialist-games.com/inquisitor/default.htm