Renaissance and Reformation, 1500-1620: A Biographical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Description

Covering the period comprising the Renaissance and Reformation, this volume introduces a set of interdisciplinary biographical dictionaries providing basic information on the people who have contributed significantly to the culture of Western civilization. Unlike general dictionaries which focus on political and military figures, this book covers such figures as the religious leaders who contributed to the Reformation, scientists who paved the way for a new view of the universe, and Renaissance painters, sculptors and architects, as well as writers, musicians and scholars. While the great personalities are included - Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Galileo - the volume covers lesser known figures as well - the Muslim scholar Leo Africanus, the Flemish geographer-astronomer Gemma Frisius, the English travel writer Thomas Coryate. Although many of the subjects also had political influence, the entries are designed to highlight their individual cultural achievement. An exciting, tumultuous and chaotic age, the years from 1500 to 1620 saw increasing discontent with Catholicism and the beginning of Protestantism with Luther's 95 theses, great strides in the development of the printing press and a resulting increase in literacy, the humanist movement with its emphasis on the arts of antiquity, a proliferation of literature and art inspired by but moving beyond classical forms, and conflict between the triumph of Renaissance culture and the theologians of the Protestant Reformation. The resulting cultural production was astounding. This volume covers those who contributed to the fields of art and architecture, music, philosophy, religion, political and social thought, science, mathematics, literature, history and education. With over 350 entries written by 72 scholars, the book provides a useful reference resource on an exciting age.

Reviews

.,."unique and valuable to scholars of all levels....an extremely readable and quick reference....Renaissance and Reformation, 1500-1620, represents excellent work overseen by both Carney and Ronald Fritze, the series adviser."-Sixteenth Century Journal
.,."will answer many undergraduates' questions at the library's reference desk, and the simple and direct entries will appeal to beginners."-Bibliotheque D' Humanisme et Renaissance
.,."will serve as a useful starting point for research in history, the arts, and religion in academic and large public and school libraries."-American Reference Books Annual
...unique and valuable to scholars of all levels....an extremely readable and quick reference....Renaissance and Reformation, 1500-1620, represents excellent work overseen by both Carney and Ronald Fritze, the series adviser.-Sixteenth Century Journal
...will answer many undergraduates' questions at the library's reference desk, and the simple and direct entries will appeal to beginners.-Bibliotheque D' Humanisme et Renaissance
...will serve as a useful starting point for research in history, the arts, and religion in academic and large public and school libraries.-American Reference Books Annual
Highly recommended for undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers.-Choice
Libraries supporting courses in medieval and Renaissance history may want to acquire for reference or circulating collections.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
..."will answer many undergraduates' questions at the library's reference desk, and the simple and direct entries will appeal to beginners."-Bibliotheque D' Humanisme et Renaissance
..."will serve as a useful starting point for research in history, the arts, and religion in academic and large public and school libraries."-American Reference Books Annual
"Highly recommended for undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers."-Choice
"Libraries supporting courses in medieval and Renaissance history may want to acquire for reference or circulating collections."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
..."unique and valuable to scholars of all levels....an extremely readable and quick reference....Renaissance and Reformation, 1500-1620, represents excellent work overseen by both Carney and Ronald Fritze, the series adviser."-Sixteenth Century Journal

Author Bio

JO ELDRIDGE CARNEY is Associate Professor of English at the College of New Jersey and the author of several articles./e