"Here I Gather All the Friends" Machiavelli and Emergence of the Private Study

exploration of the self through literature, allowing individuals like Machiavelli and Du Bois to engage with the thoughts of past thinkers. Machiavelli's retreat to his family farm in 1513 marked a significant transition in his life, as he shifted from a position of political power to one of solitude. During this time, he found solace in reading and writing, particularly in his correspondence with Francesco Vettori, where he expressed his longing for engagement with the classical authors. His letters reveal a vivid contrast between his mundane daily life and the transcendent experience he found in his study, where he could immerse himself in the wisdom of the ancients. This act of reading became a form of necromancy, allowing him to summon the voices of the past and engage in a dialogue with them. Similarly, W. E. B. Du Bois articulated a parallel experience in his own writings, emphasizing the power of literature to transcend racial and historical divides. Both figures illustrate how the private study serves as a sanctuary for intellectual exploration and personal reflection, transforming the act of reading into a profound connection with history and humanity.

- Machiavelli's retreat to solitude led to significant literary and philosophical reflections.

- The private study emerged as a space for personal engagement with classical texts.

- Reading is portrayed as a form of necromancy, reviving the voices of the past.

- W. E. B. Du Bois similarly found solace and connection through literature.

- Both figures highlight the transformative power of books in overcoming societal limitations.