He was born in Aosta, Northern Italy, and his father was a nobleman. When he grew up he travelled around to centres of learning in Europe. When he arrived at the monastery of Bec in Normandy he was persuaded by Prior Lanfranc to become a monk there in 1059. He was there for 34 years. Anselm was a great scholar. He wrote several philosophical and theological books that became very influential. They show good rational argument, and he became known as "the father of scholasticison" One of the things he wrote was "I want to understand something of the truth which my heart believes and loves. I do not seek this to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order that I may understand" Lanfranc left the monastery in 1062. Anselm became Prior, and Abbot in 1078.
In the early Middle Ages the kings used the clergy to help them rule their territories because they were educated. For nearly four years William Rufus of England refused the Pope's nomination and kept the see of Canterbury vacant so that he could keep the revenues. In 1093 he reluctantly agreed with the Church that he would accept Anselm's nomination as Archbishop of Canterbury. That did not stop William's quarrel with the church, so in 1097 Anselm went into exile in Rome.
While there he wrote a book on the Atonement, and attended the Council of Bari, which sorted out the doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son (Filioque*). He returned to England when Henry I became king in 1100 AD, but the arguments about bishops continued. Henry said he had the right to appoint them; the Pope said he did not and that Rome should appoint them. Anselm went into exile again from 1103 to 1107 AD. He was a very good churchman, and encouraged native Englishmen to be ordained - this was very unusual as the English were despised. He enforced clergy to celibacy, opposed slavery, and restored to the Church calendar saints his predecessor had removed. He did not get on well at court, but the nobles admired him for his attractive personality and personal austerity. Anselm was canonized in 1720 and declared a doctor of the Church. His emblem is a ship.
*For an explanation of Filioque - Follow this link which will take you to the Wikipedia. There are many other references of course, which the use of your favourite search engine will reveal.