GIOVIO, PAOLO

(1483-1552)

Italian historian and biographer. Born into the ruling patriciate of Como and educated under the direction of hishumanistbrother Benedetto, he studied atPadua, where he took a doctorate in arts and medicine in 1511, and then migrated toRome. There he began as a lecturer on philosophy but soon became personal physician to CardinalGiulio de'Medici, the future PopeClement VII, who made him bishop of Nocera in 1527. His position at the papal curia facilitated his decision to make himself the historian of his own times. His major historical work,Historiae suae temporis/History of His Own Times(1550-1552), covered events from 1494 to 1547. Much of this work depends on his own observations and his discussions with contemporary participants. Giovio also wrote biographies of PopesLeo XandAdrian VIand a number of military figures. Also influential was hisElogia(1546, 1551), a collection of gossipy character-sketches of famous people, each accompanied by an engraved portrait of the subject.