Tortellius, John

, otherwise Aretin, from being born at Arezzo, was one of the learned men of the fifteenth century, although our accounts of him are not very satisfactory. He either composed or translated a “Life of St. Atnanasius.” He was admitted into the confidence of Nicholas V. whose chamberlain he was. His conversation and candour have been much praised. He was principally skilled in grammar, as appears by his book “De Potestate Literarum.” Gesner’s “Bibliotheca” gives the titles of many other works; and Magius quotes a “Lexicon” of his. Laurentius Valla must have been one of his admirers, as he dedicates to him his books “De Latina Elegantia.” He died in 1466. ²