The Life and Works of Luca Pacioli (1446/7–1517), Humanist Educator

Abstract

Accounting has few heroes, but one that most acknowledge as worthy of that accolade is Luca Pacioli, the man who published the first printed exposition of double entry bookkeeping in 1494. This was the publication that led to the development of the accounting systems we use today. However, if we consider our literature on Pacioli, it is found to be not just confusing and contradictory, but undecided as to who he was and what he did, or did not do. This paper addresses this ambiguity and uncertainty by adopting a critical hermeneutic analysis of the literature in order to present a more authentic perception of the life and works of Luca Pacioli. Archival discoveries of the past 20 years are embraced with Pacioli's own writings, and those of others who have sought to identify the man and his ambition. The view it reveals shows Pacioli as far more than the peripatetic friar and journeyman teacher of mathematics described in our literature; and it fills a much larger gap than the contradictions and confusion implied in our knowledge of the man who many consider to be the ‘father of accounting’.

Examining intersecting lives: Luca Pacioli, father of accounting, and his friend, Leonardo da Vinci

“…Individually, Pacioli and Leonardo have been the subject of numerous biographical studies. For example, among the studies of Pacioli's life are Sangster (2018, 2021), Ciocci (2017), Ulivi (2009), Jayawardene (1998), Hernández-Esteve (1994), Taylor (1942), Ricci (1940), Boncompagni (1879), and Knight (1857). Sangster's study applies critical hermeneutic analysis to clarify Pacioli's life and works, finding that Pacioli was a great deal more than just a ‘peripatetic journeyman friar and teacher of mathematics’ (Sangster, 2021: 129).…”

“…For example, among the studies of Pacioli's life are Sangster (2018, 2021), Ciocci (2017), Ulivi (2009), Jayawardene (1998), Hernández-Esteve (1994), Taylor (1942), Ricci (1940), Boncompagni (1879), and Knight (1857). Sangster's study applies critical hermeneutic analysis to clarify Pacioli's life and works, finding that Pacioli was a great deal more than just a ‘peripatetic journeyman friar and teacher of mathematics’ (Sangster, 2021: 129). Biographical studies of Leonardo are numerous; among recent studies are Nicholl (2005), West (2017), Isaacson (2017), and Vasari et al (2019), and Zöllner (2000).…”

“…Florence was described as ‘the Athens of the Middle Ages’ (Baynes and Smith, 1907: 675; Odyssey, 2020: 1). As shown in the timeline in Table 1, Pacioli was born about 1447 in Sansepolcro, perhaps as early as 23 October 1446 and as late as 19 June 1447 (Sangster, 2021). Leonardo was born 15 April 1452 in Vinci (Isaacson, 2017).…”

“… Sources: Sangster (2018, 2021) Green (2018); Isaacson (2017), O’Connor and Robertson (1999); Nakanishi (1979). …”

“…This study incorporates older research and more recent work that has shed new light on the lives and contributions of these historically famous figures. In their friendship and collaboration, a kind of synergy developed that helped propel them into the ranks of the Renaissance giants (Isaacson, 2017; Nicholl, 2005; Sangster, 2021; West, 2017).…”