Really shows the power of genetics, they were both obsessive explorers and categorizers.
When I try to picture a distant Spaniard alone in some dark yet elegant library atempting some quixotic task like categorizing every book extant, it really feels like a Borges story.
"In front of them there will be bars through which they can put their hands to turn the pages]… he who is charged to keep the library will place the requested book on the shelf [behind the grille] and return it to its place when the reader is finished."
And thank God the plenitude of printed books abolished the need for that kind of thing.
Oh, this looks wonderful, I've just ordered the book, thanks for the recommendation!
Me too. And today I read an article about dreaming of universal libraries that didn't even mention Ferdinand. Let's get him on people's radar!
are we sure he wasn't a Borges character? ;)
Sure could be, Can you imagine, dad's off finding the New World and son is collecting books! And the catalog just found in Denmark.
Really shows the power of genetics, they were both obsessive explorers and categorizers.
When I try to picture a distant Spaniard alone in some dark yet elegant library atempting some quixotic task like categorizing every book extant, it really feels like a Borges story.
Thanks, Kathleen!
"Arnamagnæan Institute"
I would love to know what that word refers to.
"In front of them there will be bars through which they can put their hands to turn the pages]… he who is charged to keep the library will place the requested book on the shelf [behind the grille] and return it to its place when the reader is finished."
And thank God the plenitude of printed books abolished the need for that kind of thing.
elm
not that they aren't getting right back to that
You've found another fascinating story, Kathleen. I had never heard of Ferdinand Columbus, but now I really want to read about him.
I think finding the great catalog in Denmark (what?) will make him nore known. But yes, quite a new story to me, too.