ABSTRACT
In a collection of papers about Gresham College, the present contribution is something of an anomaly. It will largely be concerned with the work of the architect Sebastiano Serlio, who was born in Bologna in 1475 and died in Fontainebleau in 1554, more than forty years before the foundation of the College. Moreover, we shall mainly be considering intellectual developments in Italy. The relevance of this discussion to Gresham College is that Serlio's works, which were written in the vernacular, are a good example of the Italian practical tradition. It was this kind of useful mathematical learning that Sir Thomas Gresham wished to encourage in England. One might claim it as a small indication of his programme's being taken seriously outside the College that Serlio's works first appeared in English translation in 1611 .The publisher, Robert Peake, who may also have been the translator, dedicated this edition to Henry, Prince of Wales, with the usual rhetorical flourishes and a statement of his belief that the printing of the book was
... to benefite the Publicke; and convay unto my Countrymen (especially Architects and Artificers of all sorts) these Necessary, Certaine, and most ready Helps of Geometrie:Ttie ignorance and want whereof, in times past (in most parts of this Kingdome) hath left us many lame Workes, with shame of many Workmen; which, for the future, the Knowledge and Use of these Instructions shall happily prevent.. .*
We may note that it seems to be taken for granted here that what is lacking among native English workmen is specifically identifiable as mathematical learning.
