Petrarch Born On This Day

On this day in 1304 Francesco Petrarch was born. Petrarch was celebrated for his contribution to Italian literature, including his work with the sonnet You can find his complete sonnets here (both in English and Italian) as well as some of his letters and other writings. Petrarch was recognised for his work in his own lifetime; he was made Poet Laureate in 1341. Petrarch is also well known for his love for a woman named Laura. It has been suggested that the woman did not in fact exist, although Petrarch himself insisted she did.