2. “Father of the Renaissance”
July 20, 1304 – July 19, 1374
Reknown “humanist” - rediscovery of classical ideals to redevelop learning during an age of ignorance
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
He loved to simply live life to the fullest…
Italian educated scholar
Rediscovered roman writings by cicero which initiated the renaissance mentality of “change and self—improvement”
Followed his desires to know more
Francesco Petrarch
Central Italy
How/why?
Where?
What?
Who?
“Father of the Renaissance”
Known as the

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

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