Renaissance men are often characterized as being able to “do it all.” They are often highly skilled and knowledgeable, able to apply their knowledge to solve problems. Also, renaissance men are often considered to be well-rounded individuals.
Renaissance men and women are individuals who are well-versed in many different areas of study. This is a very broad term, but it can be used to describe someone who is highly skilled in multiple disciplines.
“Renaissance man” has come into use in popular culture as a synonym for polymath or Renaissance humanist; however, this usage was not present in the original Renaissance-era nor do we find it in any of the primary sources of that period: rather, these words were coined by later historians who wrote about this period (in particular, by Jules Michelet).
The term “renaissance man” was coined by John Dryden in 1668, but it didn’t become popular until it was used to describe Leonardo da Vinci, a famous Renaissance man who was an artist, inventor, scientist, and mathematician. He was also known for his artistic abilities as well as his scientific prowess. Leonardo Da Vinci made many contributions during the Renaissance period and has been called one of the greatest geniuses of all time.
