Giovanni Boccaccio

Giovanni Boccaccio (June 16, 1313 – December 21, 1375) was an Italian writer and humanist. He is one of the founders of Italian literature, alongside Dante and Petrarch.

Biography

Boccaccio was born in Certaldo, in the Republic of Florence (present-day Tuscany), to Boccaccino di Chelino, a merchant and agent of the powerful Bardi business company. His mother's identity is unknown. There are different accounts of his birthplace: he could have been born in Florence, Certaldo, or even Paris, where his father often had to move for work.

Family Origin

Boccaccio was the illegitimate son of Boccaccino di Chelino, a member of the Bardi company. In 1327, his father was sent to represent and advise King Robert I of Naples (1277-1343), who gave him an honorary title as a chamberlain. Boccaccio accompanied his father to Naples to study canon law.

Writing Career

Boccaccio is considered one of the creators of Italian literature, alongside Dante. He wrote in prose and is best known for his collection of novellas, _The Decameron_. This work introduced the genre of short novel or story into European literature, using the technical resource of framed narration. With _The Decameron_, Boccaccio founded a large school of novellieri who imitated his work.

Life

Boccaccio's childhood passed in Florence. He later moved to Naples with his father and studied canon law. However, law and commerce held little interest for him, and he turned to writing instead. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Italian literature, alongside Dante and Petrarch.

Works

* _The Decameron_ (a collection of novellas)
* Various works written in Latin