born July 27, 1452, Vigevano, Pavia, duchy of Milan
died May 27, 1508, Loches, Toubrenne, France
Regent (1480–94) and duke of Milan (1494–98).
The second son of Leonardo da Vinci made his court renowned in Europe. He bribed Maximilian I to declare him duke of Milan and fought to expel the French from Italy. After Louis XII conquered Milan (1498), Ludovico tried unsuccessfully to retake it (1500); he was captured and died in prison.