Renaissance People

History is more than dates and abstract concepts: it arises from the lives of countless men and women. This fascinating book ?highlights nearly 100 notable lives from between 1400 and 1600. Through these brief biographies, over-arching patterns of the Renaissance emerge. Some names are famous – Leonardo, Luther, Lorenzo de’ Medici and Machiavelli – but ?others will be new to many readers: wily politicians, eccentric scientists, fiery rebels and stolid reactionaries, as well as a pornographer, an acrobat, an actress and a star comedian. Robert C. Davis is professor of Renaissance history at Ohio State University. He is the author of ?Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters and numerous books on Venice, including Shipbuilders of the Venetian Arsenal, The War of the Fists, The Jews of Early Modern Venice and Venice, the Tourist Maze. Beth Lindsmith is a writer who has lectured on composition and ?creative writing at Ohio State University. She has edited numerous academic titles on history, philosophy and anthropology, and her essays have been widely published.