Cambridge and the advancement of humanism
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Manuscript title on fore-edge
Composed in Alexandria in the 2nd century by the Greek philosopher and astronomer Ptolemy, the earth-centred view of the solar system set out in the Almagest proved pre-eminent in the West until the later 16th century. Like Euclid’s Elements, it too was published in Basel by Simon Grynäus (1538) as part of his humanistic publishing programme. The arrival of this early manuscript copy in Queens’ library as late as 1606 demonstrates the continuing interest that persisted in Greek language and mathematical learning, long after the new Copernican cosmography had disproved some of Ptolemy’s assertions.
Author: Claudius Ptolemy
Title: Almagest [The greatest compilation] (late 15th century)
Shelfmark: Queens' College MS.32
