Petrarch, Francesco. Italian poet. Born in Arezzo in 1304. Lived chiefly at Avignon, but passed his later years at Milan, Venice, and Padua. With Boccaccio, took an active part in the revival of learning, and was crowned as laureate in the capitol by King Robert of Anou in 1341. His chief works are "Sonnetti," "Canzoni et Trionfi" (in praise of Laura, a married lady whom he met at Avignon in 1327), and some Latin treatises. Died in Arqua in 1374.

---