I Tatti Renaissance Library
Encyclopedia
The I Tatti Renaissance Library is a book series published by the Harvard University Press
, which aims to present important works of Italian Renaissance Latin Literature
to a modern audience by printing the original Latin
text on each left-hand leaf (verso), and an English translation on the facing page (recto). The idea was initially conceived by Walter Kaiser, former professor of English and Comparative Literature at Harvard and director of the Villa I Tatti
. Its goal is to be the Italian Renaissance
version of the Loeb Classical Library
. James Hankins, Professor of History at Harvard University
, is the General Editor.
Many of the books in the series have never been translated into English before, and the series promises to increase the understanding of the Renaissance among the general public and non-specialist historians by making primary source
s accessible, thus giving a window into the minds of Renaissance thinkers themselves.
The books of The I Tatti Renaissance Library have a consistent appearance: a pale blue cover, analogous to the red (Latin) or green (Greek) books in the Loeb Classical Library
. They are, however, closer
in size to a standard hardcover book than to the pocket-sized books of the Loeb series. A typeface named "ITRL", based on the work of Renaissance typographer Nicolas Jenson
, was specially designed for the series. The books are notable for their overall readability. Anthony Grafton
said of the Latin texts: "though not full, critical editions, [they] are correct, well punctuated and readable. The English translations have an unusual clarity, elegance and precision" (see article under External links).
The series is named after the Villa I Tatti
, which houses the Center for Italian Renaissance Studies of Harvard University
.
Harvard University Press
Harvard University Press is a publishing house established on January 13, 1913, as a division of Harvard University, and focused on academic publishing. In 2005, it published 220 new titles. It is a member of the Association of American University Presses. Its current director is William P...
, which aims to present important works of Italian Renaissance Latin Literature
Latin literature
Latin literature includes the essays, histories, poems, plays, and other writings of the ancient Romans. In many ways, it seems to be a continuation of Greek literature, using many of the same forms...
to a modern audience by printing the original Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
text on each left-hand leaf (verso), and an English translation on the facing page (recto). The idea was initially conceived by Walter Kaiser, former professor of English and Comparative Literature at Harvard and director of the Villa I Tatti
Villa I Tatti
Villa I Tatti, The Harvard Center for Italian Renaissance Studies is a research institute in Florence, Italy.-History:Villa I Tatti is located on an estate of olive groves, vineyards and gardens on the border of Florence and Fiesole...
. Its goal is to be the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
version of the Loeb Classical Library
Loeb Classical Library
The Loeb Classical Library is a series of books, today published by Harvard University Press, which presents important works of ancient Greek and Latin Literature in a way designed to make the text accessible to the broadest possible audience, by presenting the original Greek or Latin text on each...
. James Hankins, Professor of History at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, is the General Editor.
Many of the books in the series have never been translated into English before, and the series promises to increase the understanding of the Renaissance among the general public and non-specialist historians by making primary source
Primary source
Primary source is a term used in a number of disciplines to describe source material that is closest to the person, information, period, or idea being studied....
s accessible, thus giving a window into the minds of Renaissance thinkers themselves.
The books of The I Tatti Renaissance Library have a consistent appearance: a pale blue cover, analogous to the red (Latin) or green (Greek) books in the Loeb Classical Library
Loeb Classical Library
The Loeb Classical Library is a series of books, today published by Harvard University Press, which presents important works of ancient Greek and Latin Literature in a way designed to make the text accessible to the broadest possible audience, by presenting the original Greek or Latin text on each...
. They are, however, closer
in size to a standard hardcover book than to the pocket-sized books of the Loeb series. A typeface named "ITRL", based on the work of Renaissance typographer Nicolas Jenson
Nicolas Jenson
Nicolas Jenson was a French engraver, pioneer printer and type designer who carried out most of his work in Venice. Jenson acted as Master of the French Royal Mint at Tours, and is accredited with being the creator of the first model roman type...
, was specially designed for the series. The books are notable for their overall readability. Anthony Grafton
Anthony Grafton
Anthony Grafton is a historian and the current Henry Putnam University Professor at Princeton University. He is also a corresponding fellow of the British Academy and a recipient of the Balzan Prize...
said of the Latin texts: "though not full, critical editions, [they] are correct, well punctuated and readable. The English translations have an unusual clarity, elegance and precision" (see article under External links).
The series is named after the Villa I Tatti
Villa I Tatti
Villa I Tatti, The Harvard Center for Italian Renaissance Studies is a research institute in Florence, Italy.-History:Villa I Tatti is located on an estate of olive groves, vineyards and gardens on the border of Florence and Fiesole...
, which houses the Center for Italian Renaissance Studies of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Publication History
- Famous Women, Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet, a friend, student, and correspondent of Petrarch, an important Renaissance humanist and the author of a number of notable works including the Decameron, On Famous Women, and his poetry in the Italian vernacular...
, ed. and trans. Virginia Brown, 2001- Paperback available in 2003
- History of the Florentine People, Volume 1, Leonardo BruniLeonardo BruniLeonardo Bruni was an Italian humanist, historian and statesman. He has been called the first modern historian.-Biography:...
, ed. and trans. James Hankins, 2001- Volume 2 available in 2004
- Volume 3 available in 2007, trans. James Hankins and D.J.W. Bradley
- Platonic Theology, Volume 1, Marsilio FicinoMarsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance, an astrologer, a reviver of Neoplatonism who was in touch with every major academic thinker and writer of his day, and the first translator of Plato's complete extant works into Latin...
, ed. James Hankins, trans. Michael J.B. Allen, 2001- Volume 2 available in 2002
- Volume 3 available in 2003
- Volume 4 available in 2004
- Volume 5 available in 2005
- Volume 6 available in 2006
- Humanist Educational Treatises, ed. and trans. Craig W. Kallendorf, 2002
- Paperback available in 2008
- On Discovery, Polydore VergilPolydore VergilPolydore Vergil was an Italian historian, otherwise known as PV Castellensis. He is better known as the contemporary historian during the early Tudor dynasty. He was hired by King Henry VIII of England, who wanted to distance himself from his father Henry VII as much as possible, to document...
, ed. and trans. Brian P. Copenhaver, 2002 - Biographical Writings, Giannozzo ManettiGiannozzo ManettiGiannozzo Manetti was an Italian politician and diplomat from Florence, who was also a humanist scholar of the early Italian Renaissance....
, ed. and trans. Stefano U. Baldassarri and Rolf Bagemihl, 2003 - Momus, Leon Battista Alberti, ed. Virginia Brown, ed. and trans. Sarah Knight, 2003
- Commentaries, Volume 1, Pius II, ed. Margaret Meserve and Marcello Simonetta, 2004
- Volume 2 available in 2007
- Invectives, Francesco Petrarca, ed. and trans. David Marsh, 2004
- Paperback available in 2008
- Later Travels, Cyriac of AnconaCyriac of AnconaCiriaco de' Pizzicolli or Cyriacus of Ancona was a restlessly itinerant Italian humanist and antiquarian who came from a prominent family of merchants in Ancona. Sometime he is called the Father of Archaeology...
, ed. and trans. Edward W. Bodnar, 2004 - Short Epics, Maffeo Veggio, ed. and trans. James Hankins and Michael C.J. Putnam, 2004
- Silvae, Angelo Poliziano, ed. and trans. Charles Fantazzi, 2004
- Humanist Comedies, ed. and trans. Gary R. Grund, 2005
- Italy Illuminated, Volume 1, Flavio BiondoFlavio BiondoFlavio Biondo was an Italian Renaissance humanist historian. He was one of the first historians to used a three-period division of history and is known as one of the first archaeologists.Born in the capital city of Forlì, in the Romagna region, Flavio was well schooled from an early age,...
, ed. and trans. Jeffrey A. White, 2005 - Lyric Poetry. Etna, Pietro BemboPietro BemboPietro Bembo was an Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, and cardinal. He was an influential figure in the development of the Italian language, specifically Tuscan, as a literary medium, and his writings assisted in the 16th-century revival of interest in the works of Petrarch...
, ed. and trans. Mary P. Chatfield, trans. Betty Radice, 2005 - Baiae, Giovanni Gioviano Pontano, ed. and trans. Dennis G. Rodney, 2006
- Letters, Volume 1, Angelo Poliziano, ed. and trans. Shane Butler, 2006
- Baldo, Volume 1, Teofilo FolengoTeofilo FolengoTeofilo Folengo , who wrote under the pseudonym of Merlino Coccajo or Merlinus Coccaius, was one of the principal Italian macaronic poets.-Biography:...
, ed. and trans. Ann E. Mullaney, 2007- Volume 2 available in 2008
- Ciceronian Controversies, ed. Joann Dellaneva, trans. Brian Duvick, 2007
- History of Venice, Volume 1, Pietro BemboPietro BemboPietro Bembo was an Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, and cardinal. He was an influential figure in the development of the Italian language, specifically Tuscan, as a literary medium, and his writings assisted in the 16th-century revival of interest in the works of Petrarch...
, ed. and trans. Robert W. Ulery, Jr., 2007- Volume 2 available in 2008
- Volume 3 available in 2009
- On The Donation of Constantine, Lorenzo VallaLorenzo VallaLorenzo Valla was an Italian humanist, rhetorician, and educator. His family was from Piacenza; his father, Luciave della Valla, was a lawyer....
, ed. and trans. G. W. Bowersock, 2007- Paperback available in 2008
- Commentaries on Plato, Volume 1: Phaedrus and Ion, Marsilio FicinoMarsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance, an astrologer, a reviver of Neoplatonism who was in touch with every major academic thinker and writer of his day, and the first translator of Plato's complete extant works into Latin...
, ed. and trans. Michael J. B. Allen, 2008 - Essays and Dialogues, Bartolomeo ScalaBartolomeo ScalaBartolomeo Scala was an Italian politician, author and historian.Born in Colle Val d'Elsa, he become a protegé of Cosimo and Piero de' Medici, being appointed at the highest positions in the Florentine Republic .He wrote an unfinished History of Florence...
, ed. and trans. Renee Neu Watkins, 2008 - Lives of the Popes, Volume 1: Antiquity, Bartolomeo PlatinaBartolomeo PlatinaBartolomeo Platina, originally named Sacchi was an Italian Renaissance writer.-Biography:Platina was born at Piadena , near Cremona....
, ed. and trans. Anthony F. d' Elia, 2008 - Poems, Cristoforo LandinoCristoforo LandinoCristoforo Landino was an Italian humanist and an important figure of the Florentine Renaissance.-Biography:...
, ed. and trans. Mary P. Chatfield, 2008 - Writings on Church and Reform, Nicholas of CusaNicholas of CusaNicholas of Kues , also referred to as Nicolaus Cusanus and Nicholas of Cusa, was a cardinal of the Catholic Church from Germany , a philosopher, theologian, jurist, mathematician, and an astronomer. He is widely considered one of the great geniuses and polymaths of the 15th century...
, ed. and trans. Thomas M. Izbicki, 2008 - Christiad, Marco Girolamo VidaMarco Girolamo VidaMarco Girolamo Vida or Marcus Hieronymus Vida was an Italian humanist, bishop and poet. Born at Cremona, Vida joined the court of Pope Leo X and was given a prior at Frascati. He became bishop of Alba in 1532....
, ed. and trans. James Gardner, 2009 - Latin Poetry, Jacopo SannazaroJacopo SannazaroJacopo Sannazaro was an Italian poet, humanist and epigrammist from Naples.He wrote easily in Latin, in Italian and in Neapolitan, but is best remembered for his humanist classic Arcadia, a masterwork that illustrated the possibilities of poetical prose in Italian, and instituted the theme of...
, ed. and trans. Michael C. J. Putnam, 2009 - Odes, Francesco Folengo, ed. and trans. Diana Robin, 2009
- Republics and Kingdoms Compared, Aurelio Lippo BrandoliniAurelio Lippo BrandoliniAurelio Lippo Brandolini was an Italian humanist and political theorist who briefly flourished in the court of the Hungarian king, Matthias Corvinus. He is the author of the treatise Republics and Kingdoms Compared.-Works:...
, ed. and trans. James Hankins, 2009 - Book on Music, Florentius De Faxolis, ed. and trans. Bonnie J. Blackburn and Leofranc Holford-Strevens, 2010
- The Hermaphrodite, Antonio BeccadelliAntonio BeccadelliAntonio Beccadelli , called Il Panormita , was an Italian poet, canon lawyer, scholar, diplomat, and chronicler. He generally wrote in Latin...
, ed. and trans. Holt Parker, 2010 - Sacred Painting. Museum, Federico BorromeoFederico BorromeoFederico Borromeo was an Italian ecclesiastic, cardinal and archbishop of Milan.-Biography:Federico Borromeo was born in Milan as the second son of Giulio Cesare Borromeo, Count of Arona, and Margherita Trivulzio...
, ed. and trans. Kenneth S. Rothwell, Jr., 2010 - Genealogy of the Pagan Gods, Volume 1, Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet, a friend, student, and correspondent of Petrarch, an important Renaissance humanist and the author of a number of notable works including the Decameron, On Famous Women, and his poetry in the Italian vernacular...
, ed. and trans. Jon Solomon, 2011 - Humanist Tragedies, ed. and trans. Gary R. Grund, 2011
- Letters to Friends, Bartolomeo Fonzio, ed. Alessandro Daneloni, trans. Martin Davies, 2011
- Modern Poets, Lilio Gregorio Giraldi, ed. and trans. John N. Grant, 2011
External links
- The I Tatti Renaissance Library, at Harvard University PressHarvard University PressHarvard University Press is a publishing house established on January 13, 1913, as a division of Harvard University, and focused on academic publishing. In 2005, it published 220 new titles. It is a member of the Association of American University Presses. Its current director is William P...
. - Villa I Tatti - The Harvard University Center for Renaissance Studies
- "Rediscovering a Lost Continent", by Anthony GraftonAnthony GraftonAnthony Grafton is a historian and the current Henry Putnam University Professor at Princeton University. He is also a corresponding fellow of the British Academy and a recipient of the Balzan Prize...
in The New York Review of BooksThe New York Review of BooksThe New York Review of Books is a fortnightly magazine with articles on literature, culture and current affairs. Published in New York City, it takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important books is itself an indispensable literary activity...
, October 5th, 2006. Review and survey of books in the series.