Description
THE PASSION FOR KNOWLEDGE
Book Summary
This work offers a comprehensive and updated biography of Antonio de Nebrija, the great humanist and philologist who revolutionized the study of the Spanish language during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. The author, Pedro Martín Baños, reconstructs the life and career of the illustrious professor based on original archival sources, many of which were previously unknown or unpublished. The reader will discover not only the scholar who wrote the first grammar of the Spanish language, but also the man of his time, immersed in the intellectual and political tensions of an era of cultural splendor. A reference work for understanding a key figure of the Hispanic Renaissance.
What is it about?
The book constitutes a complete and rigorous revision of the biography of Antonio de Nebrija. Throughout its pages, the author traces the vital and intellectual trajectory of the humanist, from his formative years in Italy to his consolidation as a professor in Salamanca and Alcalá de Henares. The research is based on a meticulous analysis of original documents, many consulted for the first time, which allows for the debunking of legends, the clarification of dates, and the offering of a more nuanced image of his personality. His fundamental works are addressed, such as the Grammar of the Spanish Language and the Latin-Spanish Dictionary, as well as his controversies with other scholars of the court and his role in the educational reform promoted by Cisneros. The result is a detailed portrait of an intellectual passionate about knowledge, who fought for the dignity of letters and the clarity of language at a crucial moment in the history of Spain.
Main Topics
- Intellectual and personal biography of Antonio de Nebrija.
- History of Renaissance humanism in the Spain of the Catholic Monarchs.
- Evolution of Spanish philology and grammar in the 15th and 16th centuries.
- Analysis of unpublished archival sources for historical reconstruction.
- Relations between political power, the Church, and intellectuals during the Renaissance.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at researchers, historians, philologists, and university students interested in the Spanish Renaissance, the history of the language, and the biography of key figures of Hispanic culture. It will also be of great interest to readers with intellectual curiosity who wish to delve into the life and context of one of the fathers of the Spanish language.
What this book contributes
- An updated and rigorous vision of Nebrija's life, based on primary sources.
- The revelation of unknown documents and data that correct historical errors.
- A detailed analysis of the cultural, political, and academic context of humanism in Spain.
- An indispensable reference tool for scholars of philology and history.
Technical Data Sheet
- Author: Pedro Martín Baños
- Publisher: University of Huelva
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Biography: literary, Literature: history and criticism, Literary studies: c. 1500-c. 1800
- Collection: Renaissance Biographical Library E
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2019
- Number of pages: 636
- Weight: 2076 g
Editorial Review
This is an essential reference work for any scholar of Hispanic humanism. The exhaustive archival work of Pedro Martín Baños provides a documentary solidity that distinguishes it from previous biographies. Although its length and erudition make it more suitable for a specialized audience, reading it rewards with a deep and nuanced understanding of a fundamental figure of our culture. A first-rate academic work that fills a void in the bibliography on Nebrija.