The name "Erasmus" came from a nickname received and constantly heard during undergraduate studies. The original Erasmus was a Renaissance scholar who applied himself to the study, editing, and translating of ancient Greek and Latin texts, rather than to the philosophical, abstruse theology that was popular to some in his day. Because of my enthusiastic interest in learning and talking about ancient languages, someone thought the label "Erasmus" was appropriate and everyone around picked it up.
It turns out that the interest in ancient languages did not wane after undergraduate work was completed but increased in several different graduate programs. Over the years my interests in the writings, lives, and contributions of the ancients have led to intense formal study of numerous ancient languages including Sumerian, Akkadian, Ugaritic, Imperial Aramaic, Classical Hebrew, and Koine Greek. In addition, university studies require reading ability in modern French and German. To learn more about the Sumerian and Akkadian languages and cultures, visit the Cuneiform Scribe or the Nippur Quay, a wonderful Bronze Age Business District.
I hope the original Erasmus would appreciate my use of his name in "Erasmus Compositor" in appreciation of his great contribution to ancient language study as well as his enthusiastic use of the printing press to bring attention to the wisdom of those who lived, worked, and wrote many years before us. Consider here his picture and his commitments to learning and written communications.
The Original Erasmus Scholar and Editor
| Portrait of Desiderius Erasmus 1467 - 1536 Oil Painting of 1523 by Hans Holbein |
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Desiderius Erasmus (born Gehardus Gerhardi) entered the world in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the son of a priest and his hearthmate, a physician's daughter. He received monastic and ministerial training, but was eventually able to enter a scholarly career with considerable travel between various European countries. His commitment to publishing led him to reside for a considerable time in Basle, the location of Froben's printing operations. He continued his editing and publishing labors to the time of his death in 1536, at which time he left his property to the poor.
He edited, translated, and published very numerous writings of antiquity, both religious and secular. His collection of ancient Greek and Latin proverbs grew to 4,000 entries. He was especially attracted to Jerome, a Church Father committed to philological labors, as Erasmus himself was. He not only edited and made freshly available the writings of the ancients, but also in his own compositions drew from their ancient insights to attract others to a study of our predecessors. He also wrote school textbooks that were witty and entertaining as well as instructive. His satire, The Praise of Folly is still well worth reading after almost five centuries.
Erasmus was a man of common sense and thoroughgoing tolerance (for which he is much criticized). He filled his life with study, writing, and good companionship. Like Erasmus, we should look back to our predecessors to gain perspective and learn valuable insights for our own times. As we read the writings of the ancients and encourage others to look beyond their own narrow fields of view, we can learn to express ourselves more clearly and learn to cope more effectively with our own challenges.
Look at these other issues in professional business communication:
- Consider our practical suggestions on Résumé Development.
- Sharpen your appreciation for meaningful and accurate expression at Good Composition.
- You may have heard about possible confusion and disruption from the millennium bug or Y2K problem. Did you know that our current calendar is in error? We don't know what year this is! Check out Millennial Confusion.
- Consider a speech about intellectual priorities, made in 1918, by a great scholar and student of ancient language, history and culture. Read these challenging thoughts by Professor Morris Jastrow.
- Get tips for the beginning desktop publisher at The First Bumps and Bruises.
- Return to our home page at Erasmus Compositor.
