Fernando of Cordova

Part charlatan, part "Wunderkind," & part learned scholastic, Fernando of Cordova burst upon the European scene in 1444-1446 when he traveled to different parts of Europe. He astounded audiences by his command of the subject matter in all univ. subjects, his mastery of oriental lang., his skill in painting, music, & instrument making, & his expertise in knightly warfare. After disappearing in 1446, he reappeared in 1466 as a Roman curialist active in several controversies. He died in 1486. Fernando's philosophical, theological, & scientific writings cover a wide range of topics important to his age, and his biography has a special value because of what he did & whom he impressed in his travels in the cities, courts, & univ. of Europe.