Giambattista, an Italian who was born at Treviso in the Venetian State in 1485, began in the former half of the sixteenth century to edit a collection of the most notable voyages both ancient and modern. The circumstances of his life peculiarly qualified him for such a task. He had travelled in the character of an ambassador through France, Switzerland, and Italy. His acquaintance with history, geography, and languages was great. Many learned foreigners likewise were his friends and correspondents, and could communicate any information he might require. Thus aided, he carried on the work with success. Those parts of his collection which were written in foreign languages he translated into Italian. To those parts which were obscure or incorrect he added explanations and comments from the stock of his own knowledge. The first volume was published at Venice in 1550, under the title of Raccolta di Navigazioni e Viaggi; a second followed in 1556; and a third appeared in 1559, two years after the author's death.