Benedetto Cotrugli was born into a merchant family in the prosperous maritime city of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik), part of the Republic of Ragusa during the Renaissance. This city-state was known for its significant involvement in Mediterranean trade networks, which were instrumental in the cultural and economic development of the region. [1]
From a young age, Cotrugli was immersed in the vibrant commercial environment of Ragusa. His family’s involvement in trade provided him with early exposure to the complexities of merchant activities, a common upbringing for members of the Ragusan nobility. This experience is likely to have sparked his initial interest in economic theories and practices, which he later explored in his writings[2]
The Republic of Ragusa, being a hub of international trade, offered Cotrugli insights into the broader economic interactions across the Mediterranean. These formative experiences played a crucial role in shaping his perspective on commerce and trade, which he articulated in his seminal work, "Della mercatura e del mercante perfetto" (Book on the Art of Trade).[2]
As a diplomat of the Kingdom of Naples, he spent some 15 years in the Court of Naples where he led many discussions and polished his thoughts on humanist subjects. From 1451 until 1469 he lived in Naples.[1] He died in Aquila.
Education
Cotrugli’s education at the University of Bologna, a leading institution during the Renaissance, is not detailed extensively in terms of specific courses or programs. However, the academic environment and the humanist curriculum of the university are known to have profoundly influenced his intellectual development. His humanist education provided him with a broad understanding of ethics, philosophy, and science, which he later applied to commerce and trade.[1][2]
Cotrugli’s blend of humanist and practical education enabled him to contribute significantly to the fields of commerce and accounting, illustrating the Renaissance ideal of a well-rounded education impacting professional practice. His work not only shows the application of humanist learning to commercial endeavors but also marks a significant contribution to the development of modern economic practices. [1][3]
Surviving manuscripts
The earliest extant copy of Cotrugli's manuscriptLibro de l'Arte de la Mercatura (Book on the Art of Trade) is kept in the National Library of Malta and is dated 1475, although the original manuscript was dated 1458.[4] This manuscript is particularly notable for its chapter on double-entry bookkeeping, which is recognized as one of the earliest known written treatments of the subject.[3]
B.Cotrugli, "Il libro dell'arte di mercatura", Guerini Next, september 2022
B.Cotrugli, "Arricchirsi con onore", edited by Alessandro Wagner, introduction by Brunello Cucinelli, Rizzoli, May 2018
B.Cotrugli, The Book of the Art of Trade, edited by Carlo Carraro and Giovanni Favero, with Scholarly Essays from Niall Ferguson, Giovanni Favero, Mario Infelise, Tiziano Zanato and Vera Ribaudo, translated in English by John Francis Phillimore, Springer Nature, Palgrave Macmillan, 2017
B. Cotrugli, Libro de l'arte de la mercatura, critical edition of the original Italian manuscript, by Vera Ribaudo, Cà Foscari University Press, Venice, May 2016
Ferguson, Niall. "The Square and The Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook." Penguin Books, 2017
Van Duzer, Chet. "Benedetto Cotrugli's Lost Mappamundi Found—Three Times." Imago Mundi, The International Journal for the History of Cartography, 65:1, 2013
Sangster, Alan. "Benedetto Cotrugli on Double Entry Bookkeeping." Accounting, Business & Financial History, 2016
