First Fruits is John Florio’s first work, published in London in 1578 at 25 years old. Entitled “Florio his firste fruites which yeelde familiar speech, merie prouerbes, wittie sentences, and golden sayings. Also a perfect induction to the Italian, and English tongues, as in the table appeareth. The like heretofore, neuer by any man published.” this work […]
John Florio: Portrait by William Hole A portrait of John Florio is printed in his second and increased edition of his Italian-English vocabulary Queen’s Anna New World of Words. It’s an engraving made by William Hole that appears on the first pages of the dictionary. Here we see Florio at the mature age of 58 […]
The death of Queen Anne on March 2nd 1619 marks the end of Florio’s active career. He was residing in Fulham, which was at that time a separate village connected with the City by a very bad country road frequently impassable on foot on account of the mud, and by river. Old-age and poverty slowly […]
With the accession of James I John Florio’s life at court begins a new chapter. His best patrons were now in favour, and Sir Robert Cecil now exercised greater influence than before. Most certainly, he may possible have been instrumental in obtaining John Florio his court appointment. John Florio was now living at court, holding […]
From 1585 John Florio seems to have disappeared from the scenes. There is no mention of him previous to 1591, with four exceptions. Two are in connection with the christening of his children in 1588 and 1589. The third is a letter dated May 26, 1587 in which a certain Alexander Teregli refers to John […]
Between the summer of 1583 and 1585 John Florio moved with his family at the French Embassy. It was situated in London, at Beaumont House, Butcher Row. The French Ambassador at the time was Michel de Castelnau, Lord of Mauvissiere. His first mission was to defend the cause of Mary Stuart against Elizabeth. Similarly, he […]
Elizabeth I ascended to the throne on November 17th 1558. The first actions as Queen was the establishment of an English Protestant church. Therefore, England was finally no longer a threat for John. At about 18 years old, after his formative years in Soglio and in Tubingen, he came back to London. John Florio’s First […]
Michelangelo Florio, born in Figline Val D’arno (Florence) was a Franciscan friar who converted to Protestantism. He worked as pastor in both England and Switzerland. Tutor of Lady Jane Gray, writer and translator, Michelangelo Florio was an important Protestant reformer whose life and works had a major influence on John Florio. John Florio was born in London in 1553. […]
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