Leopardi, Giacomo

(born June 29, 1798, Recanati, Papal States—died June 14, 1837, Naples) Italian poet, scholar, and philosopher. Congenitally deformed, he suffered throughout his life from chronic ailments and frustrated hopes. His usually pessimistic poetry is admired for its brilliance, intensity, and effortless musicality. His verse collections include Canzoni (1824), Versi (1826), and I canti (1831). His finest poems are probably the lyrics called “Idillii” in early editions of his poetry. Operette morali (1827; “Minor Moral Works”) is an influential philosophical exposition, mainly in dialogue form, of his doctrine of despair. He is considered among the great Italian writers of the 19th century.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica