Erazm z Rotterdamu a humanistyczna edukacja Andrzeja Zebrzydowskiego w latach 1517–1530

Abstract

Andrzej Zebrzydowski (1496–1560), born in Więcbork, came from gentry. His outstanding kinship – his uncle Andrzej Krzycki, the Royal Secretary, future archbishop; another close relative, Piotr Tomicki, Vice-Chancellor of the Crown and in the future, Bishop of Cracow – facilitated his career. He studied theology at Cracow Academy. At the court of Vice-Chancellor of the Crown and bishop Tomicki, Zebrzydowski had access to his famous library. In Cracow he made an acquaintance with an English humanist and admirer of Desiderius Erasmus – Leonard Cox, who gave lectures on classics – Vergil, Cicero, but also Saint Jerome. Zebrzydowski was his most famous pupil. On the initiative of his both uncles, in 1527 Zebrzydowski began his three-year-long educational trip in Europe. Its first leg was Basel, where, at university, he listened to lectures. He was accommodated at Desiderius Erasmus’ place, was his pupil and studied ancient Greek and Lain works in original. Yet, Desiderius Erasmus did not properly fulfil his duties towards Zebrzydowski, who was stricken by the humanist’s self-interest. Maybe because of that reason, after just one semester, Zebrzydowski moved to Paris to study theology and law. He continued his studies in Padua, Italy under the guidance of such famous humanists as a Greek, Nikolaus Leonikus and an Italian cardinal, Piotr Bembo. When he came back home in August 1530, he became a member of the royal court. He was highly appreciated by Sigismund I the Old and Sigismund II Augustus.