Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books: Young Columbus and the Quest for a Universal Library

Hernando was the illegitimate son of Christopher Columbus and was a guardian of his father's flame, courtier, bibliophile, and catalogue supreme. He sought to create a universal library by harnessing the power of the new printing presses. He was one of the first and greatest visionaries of the print age, creating a dictionary, geographical encyclopaedia, modern maps, and the first biography of his father. He also amassed the largest collection of printed images and music of the age, started Europe's first botanical garden, and created the greatest private library Europe had ever seen. Edward Wilson-Lee has written the first major modern biography of Hernando, which tells an enthralling tale of the age of print and exploration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The captivating tale of Christopher Columbus' illegitimate son Hernando unfolds, revealing a remarkable life filled with adventure, scholarship, and cultural significance. Hernando, a guardian of his father's flame, served as a courtier, bibliophile, and catalogue supreme, traversing the heart of 16th-century Europe. His travels took him to the very epicenters of knowledge and culture, where he immersed himself in the world of books and manuscripts.

Hernando's ambition was nothing short of extraordinary. He sought to equal and surpass his father's achievements by creating a universal library. Hernando recognized the immense power of the new printing presses and envisioned a centralized repository of knowledge that would transcend borders and reshape the landscape of thought and society.

As a visionary of the print age, Hernando played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of his time. He recognized the vast scale of available information and understood how it could revolutionize the way people accessed and disseminated knowledge. He dedicated his life to assembling the world's knowledge in one place, his library in Seville.

Hernando's life was an immensely eventful journey. As a youth, he spent years exploring the New World, encountering diverse cultures and gaining firsthand knowledge of the natural world. He even spent a period living with his father in a shipwreck off the coast of Jamaica, where he witnessed the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In addition to his adventures, Hernando was a prolific scholar and writer. He created a comprehensive dictionary and a geographical encyclopaedia of Spain, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in his homeland. He also played a key role in creating the first modern maps of the world, using his expertise in cartography to chart the unknown territories his father had discovered.

Hernando's travels took him to almost every major European capital, where he associated with many of the great minds of his day. He was a close friend of Ferdinand and Isabel, the Spanish monarchs who sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyages, and his connections with Erasmus, Thomas More, and Dürer further enriched his intellectual pursuits.

Hernando's most significant contribution to history was his writing of the first biography of his father, Christopher Columbus. Through meticulous research and tireless dedication, Hernando crafted a narrative that elevated his father from a mere explorer to a legendary figure. His biography not only preserved the legacy of Columbus but also shaped how Europe perceived the world his father had reached in 1492.

Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Hernando amassed the largest collection of printed images and printed music of his age. His passion for art and culture led him to establish what was perhaps Europe's first botanical garden, where he cultivated a wide array of plants and studied their medicinal properties.

Hernando's legacy extends far beyond his contributions to knowledge and culture. His unwavering dedication to scholarship and his commitment to the pursuit of knowledge have inspired generations of scholars and enthusiasts alike. His life serves as a testament to the power of human curiosity, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.

In conclusion, the story of Christopher Columbus' illegitimate son Hernando is a remarkable tale of ambition, scholarship, and cultural significance. Hernando sought to equal and surpass his father's achievements by creating a universal library, harnessing the power of the new printing presses to assemble the world's knowledge in one place. His life was an eventful journey filled with adventure, exploration, and intellectual pursuits. Hernando's legacy as a visionary of the print age, scholar, writer, and cultural pioneer continues to inspire and influence us today.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008146245