Alessandro Manzoni

Born in Milan in 1785, Alessandro Manzoni became one of Italy’s most important poets and novelists. He is best known for I promessi sposi (The Betrothed), first published in 1827 and later revised, a historical novel widely regarded as a masterpiece of world literature.

Manzoni also wrote poetry and drama, including Il conte di Carmagnola and Adelchi. His work was closely connected to the cultural and patriotic energy of the Risorgimento, and his careful reworking of The Betrothed made the book especially influential in the development of modern Italian prose.

He spent much of his life in Milan and died there in 1873. Long after his death, Manzoni remains a defining figure in Italian letters: a writer remembered not only for literary greatness, but also for helping give a nation a shared language and story.