Thomas Elyot The Book of the Governor

holbein sir thomas elyot

thomas elyot born before 1490 , died in 1546. son of sir richard elyot , alice fynderne. father prominent lawyer, thomas received quality education. both cambridge , oxford claim him alumnus, there no sufficient evidence either way. studied liberal arts , philosophy, medicine. in 1510 married margaret aborough. in 1530 knighted. in 1531, made ambassador emperor, charles v. in 1538 published first latin-english dictionary. writer, clear, precise, measured, , practically monotonous. major works include:

the boke named governour (1531)
of knowledge maketh wise man (1533)
the education of children, translated out of plutarch (1535)
dictionary (1538)
the castle of helth (1539)
the defence of women (1540)

the boke named governour considered first educational treatise in english. sets out way of life member of english governing class. between 1531 , 1580, book went through 7 different editions. according biblio.com, book of governor went through edition after edition through sixteenth century. achieved fame many reasons. first work in recognizably modern english prose, elyot added many new words. provided influential advocacy study of classics, quotes extensively. principal cause of popularity current vogue subject – treatise on moral philosophy, laying down lines on education of destined govern should directed, , inculcating high moral principles should rule them in performance of duties. there nothing original or revolutionary in thoughts expressed: elyot acknowledges debt institutio principis christiani of erasmus , castiglione’s il cortegiano, though not francesco patrizzi, bishop of gaeta @ end of fifteenth century, de rego et regis institutione model governour. nevertheless remained textbook behaviour generations , had lasting effect on writing of english.