BÁRBARO, FRANCESCO

(1390-1454)

   Venetian humanist and political figure, grandfather of Ermolao the Younger. His public career included governorship of several subject territories, ambassadorships, and military commands. He was also a learned humanist, educated by Gasparino Barzizza and the famous schoolmaster Guarino da Verona and familiar with the leaders of contemporary Florentine humanism. His principal work, De re uxoria / On Marriage, discusses how to choose a wife and outlines the duties of the wife of a Venetian aristocrat.