Humanism and Printing in the Work of Conrad Gessner

• In Event: Josephine Waters Bennett Lecture

Abstract

The humanist movement was well underway before the spread of printing in Europe, but humanists were quick to adopt the new technology for their editions, translations and writings. I will discuss how printing affected the practice of scholarship by examining the working methods of Conrad Gessner (1516-65), a prolific humanist, bibliographer, and natural historian. Gessner used his publications in innovative ways to advertise and develop his projects through multiple iterations and to solicit contributions of materials from readers all over Europe. Gessner also used them as an opportunity to print a surprising range of manuscripts by ancient or recent authors or of his own composition, creating miscellanies that expand our understanding of the uses of printing.

Author

• Ann M. Blair, Harvard University