A Greek version of the book, possibly by the same Sophronius who is the subject of Chapter 134, also survives.

Many biographies take as their subject figures important in Christian Church history and pay especial attention to their careers as writers.

It "was written as an apologetic work to prove that the Church had produced learned men.

"[2] The book was dedicated to Flavius Lucius Dexter, who served as high chamberlain to Theodosius I and as praetorian prefect to Honorius.

At the conclusion of De Viris Illustribus, Jerome provided his own biography as the latest example of the scholarly work of Christians.