Dictionaire francoislatin, contenant les motz & manieres de parler francois, tournez en latin

Dictionaire francoislatin, contenant les motz & manieres de parler francois, tournez en latin

Robert Estienne (1503-1559) was the second son of printer Henri Estienne. After his father’s death in 1520, he collaborated with his older brother François and Simon de Colines (whose printer’s device we see in another item on display in this cabinet). Estienne was renowned for being one of the most erudite of his century, notably being named royal printer for Hebrew and Latin. Robert’s device is that of a serpent wrapped around an olive tree, alluding, most likely, to the tree of knowledge. However, there is a more personal meaning hidden within the device, perhaps something of an “in joke”, the Estienne printing shop was on Rue St-Jean-de-Beauvois in Paris, “at the sign of the Olive”. The motto contained within the device reads “Noli altum sapere, sed time” (“Be not high-minded, but fear”), a quote which stems from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.

Estienne, Robert (ca.1503-1559)

Archives and Special Collections, University of Ottawa [PC 2645 .L3 E78 1539]

Paris, De l'imprimerie de Robert Estienne

1539

Archives and Special Collections, University of Ottawa

Book

French

Text

ARSC_PR_PC 2645 .L3 E78 1539