Dutch poet
Petrus Nannius (also Pieter Nanninck, b. 1496, Alkmaar - d. 1557) was a Dutch poet, accomplished Latin scholar and humanist of the 16th century. A contemporary of Desiderius Erasmus, he was born in Alkmaar and was an important figure in the humanism of the time, having provided a foundation with his teaching for the later flowering of humanism in the region.
Life.
We first hear of Nannius teaching in Gouda, South Holland. His appointment here is considered a turning point in the humanism of Gouda, in that the humanistic spirit was being found less inside monasteries, and more in public, secular life. In 1539, Nannius succeeded Conrad Goclenius as Latin teacher at the Collegium Trilingue, where he taught renowned intellectuals of the age such as Jacobus Cruquius. Nannius was described by Flemish humanist Justus Lipsius as the first person to introduce a love of letters in the Collegium Trilingue. Nannius served in this capacity from 1539 to his death in 1557. For his many scholarly endeavours, he could rely on the financial help of influential patrons, such as Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle.
Works.
Nannius was also a writer who wrote a commentary on the "Ars Poetica" of Horace, and saw in it many similarities to Menippean satire. He translated the works of many Greek authors, including Aeschines, Plutarch, and Athanasius. He also produced ten books of critical and explanatory "Miscellanea", and commentaries on the "Eclogues" and fourth book of the "Aeneid" by Virgil.
Selective bibliography.
Philological Commentaries
Latin translations of Greek texts
Original literary output
Notes.
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