An Introduction to Greek and Latin Palaeography (Cambridge Library Collection - Classics) - Softcover

Thompson, Edward Maunde

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108061818 ISBN 13: 9781108061810

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Principal librarian of the British Museum and eminent palaeographer, Sir Edward Maunde Thompson (1840–1929) had originally produced a handbook on the history and development of Greek and Latin handwriting in 1893. He extensively revised and expanded it for this 1912 edition, incorporating numerous facsimile plates. Thompson begins his treatment with an introduction to the Greek and Latin alphabets, then surveys ancient writing materials and implements, and describes the use and development of scrolls and codices. Later chapters, accompanied by valuable illustrations, examine the different forms of first Greek then Latin handwritten texts, from the earliest surviving examples (fourth century BCE) to the end of the fifteenth century. Punctuation, accents and abbreviations are considered, and the various scripts - cursive, uncial, majuscule and miniscule - are all illustrated and examined. Tables of Greek and Latin literary and cursive alphabets are also provided.

About this title

Book Description

This study of the history and development of Greek and Latin handwriting from earliest times to the end of the fifteenth century is copiously illustrated with photographic plates. Sir Edward Maunde Thompson (1840–1929) revised and expanded a shorter work of 1893 to produce this highly respected and illustrated edition in 1912.

About the Author

Sir Edward Maunde Thompson (1840-1929) entered University College, Oxford, in 1859 but had to leave before completing his degree. He entered the library of the British Museum (now British Library) in 1861 and became Keeper of Manuscripts in 1878. He was appointed Principal Librarian in 1888.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1108061818
• ISBN 13: 9781108061810
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 622