John

the Resolute, as he used to write himself, was born in London, in the latter end of the raign of K. H. 8, a little before which time, his Father (descended from the Florii of Sienna in Tuscany) and Mother, who were Waldenses, had fled from the Valtoline into England for religion sake. But when K. Ed. 6. died and the protestant religion silenc’d, by the succession of Qu. Mary, they left England, and went to another Country, where Jo. Florio received his puerile literature. After Protestancy was restored by Q. Elizab. they return’d and Florio for a time lived in this University. At length Rich. Barnes Bishop of Durham sending his Son Emanuel to Magd. coll. to obtain Acad. literature in the quality of a Commoner, about 1576. Florio was appointed to attend him as a Tutor in the Italian and French tongues. At which time wearing a Gown, he was matriculated as a member of that house in 1581. aged about 36 years, and as a teacher and instructor of certain Scholars in the University. After K. James came to the Crown he was appointed Tutor to Pr. Henry for those languages, and at length made one of the Privy Chamber, and Clerk of the closet, to Qu. Anne, to whom he was a Tutor also. He was a very useful man in his profession, zealous in the religion he professed, and much devoted to the English nation. His works are,

His first fruits, which yield familiar speech, merry proverbs witty sentences and golden saying. Lond. 1578. qu. 91. oct.

Perfect introduction to the Italian and English tongues.—Printed with the former, and both dedicated to Rob. Earl of Leicester.

His second fruits to be gathered of twelve Trees, of divers but delightsome tastes to the tongues of Italian. and English men. Lond. 1591. oct.

Garden of recreation, yielding six thousand Italian Proverbs—Printed with the former.

Dictionary Ital. and English. Lond. 1597. 98. fol. Which Dictionary was by him afterwards augmented, and to the honour of Queen Anne did intitle it, Queen Anna’s new world of words. Lond. 1611. fol. which for the variety of words, was far more copious than any extant in the world at that time. But this notwithstanding being also defective, our author did, out of other Dictionarys and Italian authors, which came accidentally into his hands, collect out of them an addition of many thousand words and phrases relating to Arts, Sciences, and Exercises, intending, if he had lived, to come out with a third edition. After his death, his additions being transmitted to Gio Torriano an Italian and professor of the Italian tongue in London, were by him diligently perused, and in very many places supplied out of the generally approved Dictionaries of the Academici della crusca, and several others that were set forth since Florio’s death. The said Torriano also did much correct the English interpretations, and where there was cause, he reduced them to their genuine sense, as they are now used in these modern times. Which additions and corrections were printed at Lond. 1659. fol. Florio also translated from French into English, The Essayes of Michael Lord of Montaigne. Lond. 1603. 13. 32. fol. and others things, as ’tis said, but such I have not yet seen. At length retiring to Fulham in Middlesex to avoid the plague raging in London, was there overtaken by it in his old age, of which he died in Aug. or Sept. in sixteen hundred twenty and five and received, 1625 as I suppose, sepulture either in the Ch. or yard there. I have several times sent for his Epitaph, but receiving none, you may take this for one,

—Virtute suâ contentus, nobilis arte,

Italus Ore, Anglus pectore, uterque opere.

Floret adhuc, & adhuc florebit; floriat ultra

Florius, hâc specie floridus, optat amans.