Nancy Siraisi

Nancy Siraisi (1932 – April 24, 2026) was an American historian of medicine. Quotes I do have regrets for deficiencies in my formation and missed opportunities in my work both as a historian of premodern Europe in general and, more specifically, as a historian of medicine. In particular, I would have benefited from more and stronger language training. With the decline of access to instruction in Latin, the situation is probably much more difficult for today's students of premodern European history than it ever was for me. Given these circumstances, one begins to wonder about the future of the field outside a few privileged institutions. As I look back, I am reminded that I've been told that it was a mistake to call my book on Cardano The Clock and the Mirror because the meaning of the title is not self-evident (though I did explain it in the preface). It refers to Cardano's recommendation that "a studious person should always have at hand a clock and a mirror: a clock . . . to keep track of time, especially in the case of someone who is a professor, teaches, or writes"; a mirror to be reminded of the aging condition of one's body. Cardano's remark may have been too obscure for a book title, but it still seems to me pretty good advice. External links Category:1932 births