John Florio

Date of Birth: 1553

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 1625

Biography

John Florio, born in 1553, was an influential writer, linguist, and translator of the late Renaissance period. He is best known for his Italian-English dictionaries and his translations of key works from Italian into English. Florio played a crucial role in the cultural exchange between Italy and England during the Elizabethan era and contributed significantly to the enrichment of the English language. He was also a tutor to Queen Anne, the wife of King James I, and had connections with notable literary figures, including William Shakespeare. Florio’s works include “A Worlde of Wordes,” an extensive Italian-English dictionary published in 1598, and his translation of Michel de Montaigne’s “Essais,” which introduced Montaigne’s ideas to the English-speaking world.

5 Interesting Facts about John Florio

1. John Florio was the son of an Italian Protestant exile and spent his early years in Switzerland before moving to England.

2. He was a close friend of the poet Samuel Daniel and collaborated with him on various literary works.

3. Florio’s translation of Montaigne’s “Essais” is considered one of the most important translations of the Renaissance.

4. He is rumored to have been a possible source for some of Shakespeare’s Italianate plots and characters.

5. Florio’s work had a lasting impact on the development of the English language, particularly in the realm of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Florio

1. “He that hath not a long memory, should have a good headpiece.”

2. “The more languages you know, the more you are human.”

3. “Words are but wind; but seeing is believing.”

4. “Translation is that which transformeth everything so that nothing changeth.”

5. “A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John Florio’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a respected tutor and translator in the royal court, he would have enjoyed a comfortable living relative to his time.