Italian books and French medical libraries in the renaissance

Shanti Graheli

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

This chapter explores the circulation, collection and use of Italian books by French medical doctors in the Renaissance. Medical humanism and the innovative methods adopted in Italian universities prompted many doctors and students of medicine to travel to Italy. This chapter explores how they acquired Italian books for their courses and collected them as mementos of their journey. The author highlights the exchange of Italian books both as gifts and as part of private transactions. Court physicians were particularly keen collectors of such items. The evidence presented from probate inventories indicates that doctors owned a range of items, from cheap editions for everyday use to valuable items of great prestige. The chapter concludes with reflections on collecting as a means of social elevation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBooks in Motion in Early Modern Europe
EditorsDaniel Bellingradt, Paul Nelles, Jeroen Salman
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherPalgrave
Pages243-266
ISBN (Electronic)9783319533667
ISBN (Print)9783319533650
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Oct 2017

Publication series

NameNew Directions in Book History
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan UK

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