Poggio Bracciolini

Poggio Bracciolini was born in 1380 in Terranuova and moved to Florence when he was ten years old. Poggio’s family appeared to be what would be considered “middle class” in current terms. His father Buccio was a notary and a druggist. His maternal grandfather, Michaelle Frutti was also a notary. With that background it was natural for Poggio to pursue a career working with documentation. Poggio became a notary in Florence and was elevated to scribe in the Vatican where he was eventually elevated to the pope’s secretary. Poggio worked for a total of eight popes during his years of service to the Church.

Poggio had an avocation, or more aptly an obsession, to find ancient manuscripts from the great scholars and philosophers of the Hellenistic era. He was a book hunter and when he had the time and opportunity he would travel to various...