Renaissance man

The term Renaissance man or polymath is used for a very clever man who is good at many different things. It is named after the Renaissance period of history (from the 14th century to the 16th or 17th century in Europe). Two of the best-known people from this time were Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Leonardo was a famous painter but he was also a scientist, philosopher, engineer, and mathematician. Michelangelo was an extraordinary sculptor, painter, architect and poet. They are known as two of the highest examples of what a Renaissance man is.^[1][2]

But the term "Renaissance man" is also often used for extraordinary people not from the Renaissance period. It can be used for anyone who is very clever at many different things, no matter when that person lived. Albert Schweitzer was a 20th century "Renaissance man" who was a theologian, musician, philosopher and doctor.^[3] Benjamin Franklin was a "Renaissance man" who lived in the 18th century and was an author and printer, politician, scientist, inventor and soldier.^[4]

1. ↑ BBC: Science & Nature
2. ↑ John Addington Symonds, "The Renaissance Man", The Life of Michelangelo Buonarroti, Kindle Edition
3. ↑ "Albert Schweitzer Fellowship". Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2017-10-13.
4. ↑ Benjamin Franklin: Early American Renaissance Man