Giovanni Della Casa

(1503 - 1556)

Born to a wealthy Florentine family, Giovanni Della Casa enjoyed an early friendship with Alessandro Farnese, who would later become Pope Paul III. Della Casa followed his friend into the Church but retired after not being elevated to the rank of cardinal. His Galateo, written in the voice of an uncle to a nephew, is an advice manual meant to teach young men how to behave in public and in private.