Grazzini, Anton Francesco (1503–1584)

Florentine writer. His realistic novelle (tales) about Florence collected in Le cene/The Suppers, were not published until 1756. To contemporaries he was best known as a poet of burlesque verses and Petrarchan lyrics. He also wrote seven comedies, and was a founder member of the Accademia della Crusca.

Grazzini was born in Florence; otherwise little is known of his early life and education. One of the founders of the Accademia degli Umidi in Florence in 1540, which worked to promote the vernacular in literature, he adopted the name ‘Il Lasca’ (roach, or mullet); he was, however, expelled from the academy in 1547. He edited the poetry of Francesco Berni in 1548 and others.

Among his comedies are: La Gelosia, La Spiritata, I Parentadi, and La Pinzochera.