Messengers of the University of Paris on the Paths of Humanism?

Abstract

Humanism in Europe spread out along convoluted paths. As is well known, books played a major role in this, especially after the invention of printing. In particular, it was the travelling book dealers who transported writings with humanist content over long distances. This includes a group from the end of the 15C up to the middle of the 16C that attracts our attention : there were persons from the book trade who at the same time held the office of a messenger at the University of Paris. Although little of this double function is visible from historical sources, we can still see how the path they trod towards a reception of humanism looked like, even if only sketchily.