# Giovanni Boccaccio

## Biography

Giovanni Boccaccio was a prominent Italian writer, poet, and humanist of the 14th century, often regarded as one of the "Three Crowns" of Italian literature alongside Dante Alighieri and Petrarch. Born in 1313 in Tuscany, likely Certaldo or Florence, he was the illegitimate son of a merchant. Though initially sent to study banking and law in Naples, Boccaccio's true passion lay in literature, leading him to abandon these pursuits for a literary career. His early life in Naples, a vibrant cultural center, greatly influenced his artistic development.

Boccaccio is best known for The Decameron, a collection of one hundred tales written between 1349 and 1353, set against the backdrop of the Black Death in Florence. This masterpiece of classical Italian prose explores themes of fortune, love, and human wit. He was also a significant figure in the development of humanism, promoting the use of the Tuscan vernacular in literature and dedicating himself to classical studies. Boccaccio fostered a deep friendship with Petrarch, which further encouraged his humanist scholarship. He died in Certaldo in 1375.

## Books

- [The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio](https://samolit.com/books/96021)