Petrarch

(FRANCESCO PETRARCA,) (pa-trärgk',) an illustrious Italian poet, B. at Arezzo in 1304. He studied at Montpellier, Bologna, and Avignon, and in the latter city met Laurade Sade, the object of his life-long and hopele pa ion. In 1336 he retired into obscurity at Vaucluse, and was called therefrom to receive the laurel -crown of poetry at Rome in 1341. He was afterwards employed in various diplomatic mi ions. P who was one of the revivers of Italian poetry, D. at Arquà in 1374. [s. 701]