Draft:List of Renaissance and Reformation Latin Secretaries

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The position of Latin Secretary to some great churchman or prince had a long and distinguished history: Jerome had been the Latin Secretary for Pope Damasus I.[1] The position was important but not lucrative, unless a stepping-stone to other offices,[2] and not limited to clergy. The role could span translator, speech-writer, diplomat, minor deputy, penman, expeditor and librarian and, by its nature, introduced the secretary into the network of other Latin secretaries. A notable Latin secretary who interacted extensively with such a network was Erasmus of Rotterdam.

It was known by many names, but the distinguishing mark is it added lustre to the master to employ a humanist of high literary capability. Many Latin secretaries were poets or writers including, outside this period, Andrew Marvell and John Milton (both for Oliver Cromwell).

1400s[edit]

1500s[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kuhner, John Byron (2017). "The Vatican's Latinist". The New Criterion. 25 (7).
  2. ^ Latin secretaries have become pope, anti-pope, cardinal and saint.