Jodocus Badius
Encyclopedia
Jodocus Badius (1462–1535) was a pioneer of the printing industry.
Sometimes called Badius Ascensius from the village of Asse
, near Brussels
, where he was born, he became an eminent printer
at Paris
. His establishment came to be known as the Prelum Ascensianum. He was also a scholar of considerable repute, had studied at Brussels and Ferrara
, and before settling in Paris, had taught Greek
for several years at Lyon
. He illustrated with notes several of the classics which he printed, and was the author of numerous pieces, amongst which are a life of Thomas a Kempis
, and a satire on the follies of women, entitled Navicula Stultarum Mulierum.
Badius worked first as an editor and proof-reader for the printer Jean Trechsel in Lyon
(1492–1498).
He then moved to Paris where he set up his printing shop in 1503.
His production was almost entirely in Latin. He specialised in editions of classical texts, often with his own familiare commentum for the student market, and also Latin works by contemporary humanist writers.
Badius's shop was one of the most productive of the period 1501–1530: 775 editions are listed in the bibliography in Philippe Renouard's Imprimeurs & libraires parisiens du XVIe siècle.
He frequently worked for or in partnership with Jean Petit, who was by far the most important wholesale bookseller/publisher of this period.
Sometimes called Badius Ascensius from the village of Asse
Asse
Asse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191...
, near Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, where he was born, he became an eminent printer
Printer (publisher)
In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. With the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450, printing—and printers—proliferated throughout Europe.Today, printers are found...
at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. His establishment came to be known as the Prelum Ascensianum. He was also a scholar of considerable repute, had studied at Brussels and Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
, and before settling in Paris, had taught Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
for several years at Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
. He illustrated with notes several of the classics which he printed, and was the author of numerous pieces, amongst which are a life of Thomas a Kempis
Thomas à Kempis
Thomas à Kempis was a late Medieval Catholic monk and the probable author of The Imitation of Christ, which is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. His name means, "Thomas of Kempen", his home town and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen...
, and a satire on the follies of women, entitled Navicula Stultarum Mulierum.
Badius worked first as an editor and proof-reader for the printer Jean Trechsel in Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
(1492–1498).
He then moved to Paris where he set up his printing shop in 1503.
His production was almost entirely in Latin. He specialised in editions of classical texts, often with his own familiare commentum for the student market, and also Latin works by contemporary humanist writers.
Badius's shop was one of the most productive of the period 1501–1530: 775 editions are listed in the bibliography in Philippe Renouard's Imprimeurs & libraires parisiens du XVIe siècle.
He frequently worked for or in partnership with Jean Petit, who was by far the most important wholesale bookseller/publisher of this period.