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Jacques AmyotFrench humanist and church leader
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Jacques Amyot: French Humanist and Clergyman
- Academic Career
- Ecclesiastical Rise
- Literary Achievement: Translation of Plutarch
- Influence on Shakespeare
- Royal Recognition
- Death and Legacy
Jacques Amyot: French Humanist and Clergyman
Early Life and EducationJacques Amyot was born in Melun, France, in 1513, to a modest family. Despite his humble origins, he pursued an education in Greek under the tutelage of the renowned humanists Pierre Danès and Guillaume Budé.
Academic Career
Through the patronage of Marguerite of Navarre, Amyot became professor of Greek at the University of Bourges, where he taught for approximately six years. His reputation earned him the favor of her brother, King Francis I, who bestowed upon him the abbey of Bellozane.
Ecclesiastical Rise
Under King Charles IX, Amyot was elevated to the rank of Grand Almoner, a high-ranking ecclesiastical position within the royal household. The king showered him with favors, culminating in his appointment as Bishop of Auxerre in 1570.
Literary Achievement: Translation of Plutarch
Amyot's most significant literary contribution was his translation of Plutarch's "Parallel Lives," which he completed in 1559. Titled "Les vies des hommes illustres grecs et romaines," this translation not only introduced contemporary readers to the great figures of antiquity but also played a pivotal role in shaping the French language.
Influence on Shakespeare
Amyot's translation of Plutarch's "Lives" became a source of inspiration for the renowned playwright William Shakespeare, who was familiar with its English translation by Thomas North in 1579.
Royal Recognition
Despite his humble birth, Amyot received recognition from the French monarchy. King Henry III appointed him as Commander of the Order of the Holy Spirit, a prestigious honor.
Death and Legacy
Jacques Amyot passed away on February 6, 1593. His translation of Plutarch's "Lives" stands as a testament to his skill as a humanist and scholar, having profoundly influenced both French literature and the works of one of the world's greatest playwrights.
