Key People of the Renaissance If you look on 258-273, you will see a LONG list of people. Do not worry we are going to be doing a project on them soon. 

Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in the small Tuscan town of Vinci. Leonardo was a scientist, artist, inventor, and engineer. Leonardo was the original “Renaissance man.” He was great at everything he tried.

Michelangelo Michelangelo was born March 6, 1475 in Tuscany, Italy. Michelangelo was one of the great artists of the Renaissance. His most famous work in the painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was born in April of 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare was one of the worlds greatest writers and playwrights. Two of his most famous plays are Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.

Johann Gutenberg Johann Gutenberg was born in Germany in 1398. Gutenberg invented the printing press in Europe in the 1450’s. The first book he printed was the Bible.

Galileo Galileo was Pisa, Italy in 1564. Galileo used instruments to observe nature. He was able to prove that the earth moves around the sun by using a telescope.

Prince Henry the Navigator Prince Henry was born in Portugal in 1394. Prince Henry opened a navigation school and sent many voyages from England to Africa. He was nicknamed “the Navigator” because he was responsible for sending so many voyages.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella The King and Queen of Spain financed the voyages of Columbus to the “New World.”

Henry VIII King Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491 in England. Henry is famous for his six wives and starting his own church of England when the pope forbid him to divorce his wife.