Aldus Manutius
. This celebrated printer
was born in 1449, at Bassiano, in the duchy of
Sermonetta.
He received a liberal education,
and on the completion of his studies became
preceptor to the Prince of Carpi, nephew of
Picus of Mirandola. In 1488 he set up a
printing-office at Venice, and the first book
that issued from his press was the Greek poem
of Musæus, with a Latin version in 410.
This
was followed by a number of valuable works, and
the house of Aldus was the resort of learned men
from all parts of Europe, among whom was
Erasmus, who resided there a considerable time,
while publishing his “Adagia.”
Aldus died February
3, 1515.
He was the author of a Latin
grammar ; a treatise, “De Metris Horatianis;”
and a Greek dictionary.