Letters of Francesco Maria II della Rovere's last duke of Urbino

Abstract

A hasty analysis of Francesco Maria II della Rovere’s correspondence, published in 1632, allows retrieving some interesting information on books, reflected also in his personal library. A group of letters sent to Henry IV of France, Isaac Casaubon, the French Queen Maria de’ Medici, and to Jean Bochar de Champigny, French ambassador in Venice, testify his satisfaction for the edition of the Histories of Polybius, made on a manuscript preserved in his library, presumably  the codex Urb. gr. 102, borrowed by the French ambassador Philippe de La Canaye sieur de Fresnes. A praise deserves also the Accademia della Crusca for the edition of the dictionary in 1612, a copy of which was sent to the duke. Three further letters show Francesco’ esteem for Antonio Querenghi’s poems, and his works are included in the ducal library. Noteworthy is also the letter addressed to the secretary and preceptor Paolo Beni, who shared with Francesco Maria the affection for Tasso and his works. A letter to the Reggitori of Bologna confirms the Duke’s regard for Ulisse Aldrovandi, whose books are also present in the ducal collection; and finally two letters to the jesuit Giulio Mazzarini confirm the acquisition of his works in the library.