Petrarch : The First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters

“There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable, than a pen. Other pleasures fail us or wound us while they charm, but the pen we take up rejoicing and lay down with satisfaction, for it has the power to advantage not only its lord and master, but many others as well, even though they be far away — sometimes, indeed, though they be not born for thousands of years to come.” 

Francesco Petrarca: Born today  July 20th 1304
An Italian scholar and poet in Renaissance Italy.
Petrarch’s rediscovery of Cicero’s letters is often credited for initiating the 14th-century Renaissance. In the 16th century, Pietro Bembo created the model for the modern Italian language based predominantly on Petrarch’s works.
He would be later endorsed as a model for Italian style by the Accademia della Crusca. Petrarch’s sonnets were admired and imitated throughout Europe during the Renaissance and became a model for lyrical poetry. He is also known for being the first to develop the concept of the “Dark Ages.” This standing back from
his time was possible because he straddled two worlds – the classical and
his own modern day. He died July 19, 1374 – one day short of his
seventieth birthday. (Wikipedia)

“Books have led some to learning and others to madness.”
~Petrach

And the fortunate are led to both! 🙂