Francesco Petrarca Biography
Italian Poet of Early Renaissance, Scholar, Father of Humanism
Oct 1, 2009
Petrarch was one of the greatest writers of the lyrical poetry. Considered the founder of Renaissance humanism, his sonnets became the model for love poetry in Europe, that influenced writers for many centuries.
Petrarch Short Profile
Francesco Petrarca, known simply as Petrarch in English, was born on July 20, 1304, in Arezzo, Italy. His family later moved to Avignon, France. His scholarship began with studies of law and training for priesthood but he never took full orders.
When he was 23, an event occurred that gave meaning and emotional dimension to his entire life. He met and desperately fell in love with a young woman he called Laura, thought to be Laura de Noves. She was already married, but much inspired by her, Petrarch wrote a remarkable series of love poems which became an instant success. At 37 years of age, he was crowned Poet Laureate of Naples.
Renaissance Lyrical Poet, Religious Writer and Biographer
Petrarca was famous for his scholarship, humanism, and literary abilities. He traveled widely in Europe, where he visited royal courts and impressing everyone with his knowledge and skills. Petrarca was able to inspire a revival of interest in ancient Greek literature. It was during this time that he continued to write sonnets and songs in praise of Laura, as well as brilliant imitations of classical writers, such as Virgil and Horace.
Petrarch also wrote a series of biographies of famous men, some religious works, and many letters to his close friend Giovanni Boccaccio who he advised not to renounce his work and to become a priest.
Later Years of Petrarch
His work typified the Renaissance – remarkably pure, free from medieval prejudice, love of sensuality of Italian thought and language. It celebrated his unrequited love for Laura. She died in 1348, but Petrarch continued to write poems about his great love.
Petrarch, a poet of the Renaissance, immensely contributed to interest in lyrical forms of the classical themes. Shakespeare, in later years, perfected in English adapted form.
He was offered high appointments but refused to accept them. He retired to a village, where he continued to study until he died, on July 19, 1374, at the age of 69.
A famous line by Petrarch: "Sweet is the death that taketh end by love." ~Rime 140, The Earl of Surrey (Translation by Henry Howard.)
Works by Petrarch
- Africa, 1338-1341
- Canzoniere, 1342
- Triumphs, 1344
- The Life of Solitude, 1346
- Secret, 1353-1358
- Remedies against Fortune, 1354-1366
- Letters, 1363-1366
- Complete Works, 1544 (published after his death)
Sources:
- Goring, Rosemary, Ed. Larousse Dictionary of Writers. New York: Larousse, 1994.
- McGovern, Una, Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 2002.
- Ousby, Ian. The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
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