Thomas Smith and the Advancement of Humanism in Cambridge
Read More![The revival of classical texts that accompanied the Renaissance humanist movement would not have been possible without the invention of the printing press. Humanist publishers such as Johann Froben, Erasmus’ business partner, edited and printed ancient texts, numerous copies of which were then distributed throughout Europe. Smith owned several books that had been printed by the Basel-based Froben family, among them the works of the Roman historian Tacitus. Though in the Middle Ages Tacitus’ hostility to Christianity had made his writings unpopular, the Renaissance saw a revival amongst humanists who were impressed by his dramatic presentation of the Imperial age.
<br><br>
<b>Author:</b> Cornelius Tacitus<br>
<b>Title:</b> <i>Historia augusta actionum diurnalium </i> [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)<br>
<b>Shelfmark:</b> F.1.4<a href="http://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1nnjft8/44CAM_ALMA21397895350003606"> (catalogue record)</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/ThomasSmith/Advancement-of-Humanism/i-jq63K3L/0/0706e53c/M/F-001-004-050-M.jpg)
The revival of classical texts that accompanied the Renaissance humanist movement would not have been possible without the invention of the printing press. Humanist publishers such as Johann Froben, Erasmus’ business partner, edited and printed ancient texts, numerous copies of which were then distributed throughout Europe. Smith owned several books that had been printed by the Basel-based Froben family, among them the works of the Roman historian Tacitus. Though in the Middle Ages Tacitus’ hostility to Christianity had made his writings unpopular, the Renaissance saw a revival amongst humanists who were impressed by his dramatic presentation of the Imperial age.
Author: Cornelius Tacitus
Title: Historia augusta actionum diurnalium [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)
Shelfmark: F.1.4 (catalogue record)
16th centuryF.1.4John Ponetinscriptionsprovenancetitle pageswoodcuts
![The revival of classical texts that accompanied the Renaissance humanist movement would not have been possible without the invention of the printing press. Humanist publishers such as Johann Froben, Erasmus’ business partner, edited and printed ancient texts, numerous copies of which were then distributed throughout Europe. Smith owned several books that had been printed by the Basel-based Froben family, among them the works of the Roman historian Tacitus. Though in the Middle Ages Tacitus’ hostility to Christianity had made his writings unpopular, the Renaissance saw a revival amongst humanists who were impressed by his dramatic presentation of the Imperial age.
<br><br>
<b>Author:</b> Cornelius Tacitus<br>
<b>Title:</b> <i>Historia augusta actionum diurnalium </i> [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)<br>
<b>Shelfmark:</b> F.1.4<a href="http://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1nnjft8/44CAM_ALMA21397895350003606"> (catalogue record)</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/ThomasSmith/Advancement-of-Humanism/i-jq63K3L/0/0706e53c/Ti/F-001-004-050-Ti.jpg)
![Thomas Smith transcribed the following annotation from the writings of his associate, the Renaissance theorist John Ponet (who also owned this copy as the inscription on the title page shows), on the first page of his copy: ‘The Emperor not only ordered that the consul Tactitus’ history of the Roman emperors should be kept in all libraries but also decreed that it should be copied ten times each year for public use’.
<br><br>
<b>Author:</b> Cornelius Tacitus<br>
<b>Title:</b> <i>Historia augusta actionum diurnalium </i> [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)<br>
<b>Shelfmark:</b> F.1.4<a href="http://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1nnjft8/44CAM_ALMA21397895350003606"> (catalogue record)</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/ThomasSmith/Advancement-of-Humanism/i-4PmJDzD/0/8526ccc6/Ti/F-001-004-039-Ti.jpg)
![Thomas Smith's marginalia and drawing. <br><br>
<b>Author:</b> Cornelius Tacitus<br>
<b>Title:</b> <i>Historia augusta actionum diurnalium </i> [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)<br>
<b>Shelfmark:</b> F.1.4<a href="http://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1nnjft8/44CAM_ALMA21397895350003606"> (catalogue record)</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/ThomasSmith/Advancement-of-Humanism/i-nZ2Zf2b/0/832d63fc/Ti/F-001-004-041-Ti.jpg)
![Thomas Smith's drawing.
<br><br>
<b>Author:</b> Cornelius Tacitus<br>
<b>Title:</b> <i>Historia augusta actionum diurnalium </i> [Histories]
(Basel, 1519)<br>
<b>Shelfmark:</b> F.1.4<a href="http://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1nnjft8/44CAM_ALMA21397895350003606"> (catalogue record)</a>](https://photos.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/ThomasSmith/Advancement-of-Humanism/i-PPs6npZ/0/9b48273a/Ti/F-001-004-046-Ti.jpg)