Who was Leon Battista Alberti?

Leon Battista Alberti was an Italian Renaissance humanist author, artist, architect, poet, priest, linguist, philosopher, and cryptographer who lived from 1404 to 1472. He epitomised the nature of the polymath and is considered the founder of European cryptography. Alongside his extensive explorations in the fine arts and mathematics, he famously designed buildings such as the churches of San Sebastiano and Sant'Andrea in Mantua.

What we know

• Leon Battista Alberti lived from 14 February 1404 to 25 April 1472. [1, 2]
• He epitomised the polymath, working as an author, artist, architect, poet, priest, linguist, philosopher, and cryptographer. [2]
• He is considered the founder of European cryptography, sharing this claim with Johannes Trithemius. [2]
• Among his most famous architectural works are the churches of San Sebastiano and Sant'Andrea in Mantua. [2]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureWhat are European cryptography's origins?
• how we knowHow did Giorgio Vasari document Alberti's life?
• a case in pointWhat are the architectural features of Sant'Andrea in Mantua?
• compared withWho was Johannes Trithemius?
• what caused itHow did Renaissance humanism influence Italian art?
• an unexpected connectionHow does early European cryptography connect to Renaissance polymaths?Leon Battista Alberti is celebrated as a pioneer of European architecture and art while simultaneously being credited as the founder of European cryptography.

Sources

• [1]Leon Battista Alberti (Wikidata Q182046) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Leon Battista Alberti · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Giovan Battista Bellaso · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Martin McLaughlin (academic) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Leonello d'Este · CC BY-SA 4.0