Who? Francesco Petrarch July 20, 1304 – July 19, 1374 Where ? Central Italy What?

2. Who? • Francesco Petrarch • July 20, 1304 – July 19, 1374 • Where? • Central Italy • What? • Italian educated scholar • Reknown “humanist” - rediscovery of classical ideals to redevelop learning during an age of ignorance • Rediscovered roman writings by cicero which initiated the renaissance mentality of “change and self—improvement” • How/why? • Born into an educated family that stressed learning to be successful in life • Known as the “first tourist,” which means he traveled for his own interests and curiosity • Followed his desires to know more • He loved to simply live life to the fullest… Known as the “Father of the Renaissance”

3. Genre of influence: • Scholarly learning • Poetry and writing • Biography of Renaissance “genius”: • Grew up near florence, italy (center of future renaissance movement) • Loyal christian to the church • Educated in law and writing • How did petrarch change the world?: • Father of humanism and renaissance mentality • Encouraged individuals to work to their fullest potential • Believed in the moral and practical value of studying history • Stated a constant struggle exists between an active and contemplative life • Created the foundation for the renaissance idea of “carpe diem” or the concept “seize the day/live life to the fullest”

4. Important “contributions” or “masterpieces”: • Epic story called “africa” which was about the great roman general scipio africanus • Became a travelling ambassador • Understood the meaning of “…dumb and deaf to the past…” • Discovery of personal letters, called the atticum, of the famous roman writer cicero • Labelled the era prior to his own as the “dark ages” because of its lack of emphasis on learning and culture • Inspired an attitude of being grateful of one’s surroundings • Encouraged looking inward to improve one’s own life…cultivation of the soul • Scholarly work in his native italian, but with an emphasis on latin • Wrote about philosophy to answer the question of “why?” • Wrote introspective essays: • My secret book (moral biography) • On famous men (moral biographies) • On religious leisure and on the solitary life (reflections on life) • Remedies for fortune fair and foul (self-help) • Guide to the holy land (argument against those who do not support doctors and scholars) • Letters on familiar matters and on old age