Salutati, Coluccio

Abstract

Coluccio Salutati is not your typical intellectual figure. He certainly played his part as a scholar by promoting the humanistic movement: not only carrying on the tradition once Petrarch and Boccaccio passed away, but also making sure the next generation of students was well-prepared to continue it during the next century. In addition to his scholastic endeavors, he served as Chancellor of Florence from 1375 until his death in 1406. A few scholars have held such a high-profile position within their nation’s government, but Salutati’s frequent correspondence with figures both far and near allowed him to place Humanism on an international stage.

Modern scholars familiar with Salutati’s work often notice the varied and often inconsistent ideas it contains. Both deeply religious and highly interested in classical studies, Salutati’s work demonstrates medieval as well as humanistic characteristics. While this has perplexed some scholars, others point out how such inconsistencies seem reasonable given Salutati’s background, as we will see below.