Judith Man facts for kids
Judith Man was an English translator who was active around 1640. She is known for her book Epitome of the History of Faire Argenis and Polyarchus, published in 1640. This book was her own translation of a French story called Histoire de Poliarque et d'Argénis by Nicolas Coeffeteau. That French story was actually a shorter version of a Latin book named Argenis by John Barclay.
Contents
Discovering Judith Man's Life
Not much is known about Judith Man's life, but we have some interesting clues. She was likely related to Peter Man, who worked as a lawyer for a powerful politician named Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford.
A Young Translator's Journey
Judith Man shared that she was 18 years old in December 1639 when she finished her translation. At that time, she was living as part of the Strafford family's household. She was an English Protestant and had traveled to France with her parents when she was a child.
Dedication and Purpose
Judith Man dedicated her translated book to Anne, who was the eldest daughter of Thomas Wentworth. In the introduction to her book, she explained why translation was a good activity for women. She believed it was a way to have fun and also to improve oneself.
Rare Copies of Her Work
Today, only two copies of Judith Man's translation still exist. You can find them in important libraries: the Huntington Library and the Bodleian Library. We don't know anything about what happened in her life after 1640.
Judith Man's Published Work
Judith Man is known for one main work:
- Epitome of the History of Faire Argenis and Polyarchus, published in 1640.
