Giovanni Boccaccio (16. 7. 1313 - 21. 12. 1375) - Italian Renaissance poet and writer. As a first wrote the biography of Dante Alighieri (Dante's Life), probably his best-known work is the novel cycle Dekameron.

Giovanni Boccaccio was born out of an illegitimate relationship Italian merchant and a French noblewoman. Instead, where he came into the world, not just documented. Mother knew as soon died. A wealthy father about him but he cared and wanted to have a son of a merchant. Therefore, education and got him access to the royal court in Naples, where the young Giovanni could establish contacts with influential people. In the company Boccaccio was very popular, because he could entertain humorous stories, which often were not missing amorous intrigues or erotic subtext. In a similar vein carries his most famous work Decameron, which originated in the years 1348 till 1353.

Docketed Life of Dante's author in history also wrote the first biography of the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri. His other works include novels Filocolo, Ameto, Fiametta or poem Filostrato.

Giovanni Boccaccio significantly influenced the development of Italian and European literature, is considered one of the earliest Renaissance writers.