Cornelius Grapheus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cornelius Grapheus
Portrait of Cornelius Grapheus engraved by Philip Galle (1572)
Born	Cornelis De Schrijver 1482 Aalst, County of Flanders, Burgundian Netherlands
Died	19 December 1558 Antwerp, Duchy of Brabant, Habsburg Netherlands
Occupation	secretary to the city of Antwerp
Language	Dutch
Period	Renaissance
Spouse	Adrienne Philips

Cornelius Grapheus (born 1482, died 19 December 1558) was an important writer and a secretary for the city of Antwerp. His original name was Cornelis De Schrijver, but he used a Latin version, Cornelius Grapheus. This was a common practice for scholars during his time. He lived during the Renaissance, a period of great new ideas and learning.

Cornelius Grapheus: A Renaissance Writer

Cornelius Grapheus was born in Aalst, a town in what is now Belgium, in 1482. He had a brother named Joannes Grapheus, who became a printer in Antwerp. When Cornelius was young, he traveled to Italy. This was a place where many new ideas were starting during the Renaissance.

Early Life and Important Connections

In 1516, a famous book called Utopia by Thomas More was first printed. Cornelius Grapheus wrote some special poems for the beginning of this book. This shows he was connected to important thinkers of his time.

Working for the City of Antwerp

By 1520, Grapheus became a secretary for the city of Antwerp. This was a very important job. He wrote official documents and speeches. For example, he wrote a special speech in Latin to welcome Charles V, a powerful ruler, back to Antwerp from Spain.

In 1522, Grapheus faced a difficult time. He was accused of having beliefs that were different from the official church teachings. This was called "heresy" back then. He was taken to Brussels for questioning. After this, he changed his mind about his beliefs.

In 1523, he was set free and went back to Antwerp. He started working as a teacher. Later, in 1540, he was given his old job back as the city's secretary. In 1549, he again helped welcome an important visitor, Philip II of Spain, to Antwerp. Cornelius Grapheus died in Antwerp on 19 December 1558.

His Writings and Books

Cornelius Grapheus wrote several books and official texts. These works give us a look into the important events and ideas of his time.

• Divi Caroli imp. caes. opt. max. desyderatissimus ex Hispania in Germaniam reditus (Antwerp, Michiel Hillen van Hoochstraten, 1520). This was a speech written to celebrate the return of Emperor Charles V. You can find it online.

• Ex Publii Terentii comoediis latinissime colloquiorum formulae (Vienna, 1529). This book was about Latin conversations, based on the plays of an ancient Roman writer named Terence. It is available on Google Books.
  • It was printed again in Mainz in 1537. This version is also on Google Books.

• Spectaculorum in susceptione Philippi (Antwerp, Gillis Coppens van Diest for Pieter Coecke van Aelst, 1550). This book described the grand events and shows put on to welcome Prince Philip II to Antwerp. You can see it on Internet Archive.
  • A Dutch version was also published in 1550, called De seer wonderlijcke, schoone, triumphelijcke incompst, van den hooghmogenden Prince Philips. This is available on Google Books.
  • There was also a French version, Le Triumphe d'Anvers, faict en la susception du Prince Philips (Antwerp, 1550). This can be found on Google Books.