born April 20, 1492, Arezzo, Republic of Florence [Italy]
died Oct. 21, 1556, Venice
Italian poet, prose writer, and dramatist.
He was celebrated throughout Europe in his time for his bold and insolent literary attacks on the powerful. His fiery letters and dialogues are of great biographical and topical interest. His dramas, which are relatively free of venomous assaults, include five comedies and a tragedy, Orazia (1546), perhaps the best Italian tragedy of the 16th century.