MACHIAVELLI, mit'kyn-vel'16, nemLb (1469-1527). An Italian historian. statesman, and man of letters. He was born in Florence, May 3. 1469. the second of four children of Ber nardo Machiavelli and Bartolomea (lei Nelli. His family belonged to the Tuscan nobility, hut for some time had been poor in worldly goods. Of his early life we have little au thentic information. He had the literary edu cation of a well-born Florentine of his day, knew some law, wrote Latin readily. but had uoacquaint ance with Greek. His abundant knowledge of later years was the result of private study, thought. and observation of men and events. In 1194 he obtained a post in the Second Chancellery of Florence. comprising the bureaus of Foreign Af fairs and \Var. This was at the time of the ex pulsion of the Medici and the establishment of a new republican government under the auspices of Savonarola. He became first Secretary of the Ten in 149S. and held the position for fourteen years. The office was more responsible and im portant than lucrative. and Machiavelli was throughout his life a poor man. The Republic of Florence did not even supply funds for the neces sary expenses of the many diplomatic missions upon which he was sent, and these were a heavy drain upon his slender private resources. \Vc have slight glimpses into his family life. Ile mar ried Marietta Corsini in 1502 and she bore him six children. His principal modern biographer describes him as of middle height, slender figure. with sparkling eyes, dark hair, rather a small head, a slightly aquiline nose, a tightly closed month. All about him bore the impress of a very acute observer and thinker. but not that of one able to wield much influence over others." The position of Machiavelli in public life was a pe culiar one. Ile was never a leader; but he was for many years in positions of trust and respon sibility and intimately associated with the most important business of government and with the chief men of the period. Ile had, therefore, unique opportunities for impartial study of the business of government. The Pisan war laid upon him diplomatic duties, as well as those of commissary of the forces. In the latter capacity he was able to study the system of mercenary military service then in vogue, and thereafter he actively opposed the mercenary system in favor of a national military organization, such as all nations maintain to-day. He spent much time on diplomatic duty at the Court of Cesare Borgia and saw the rise and fall of the power of that master of sinister and conscienceless poli tics. A study of Cesare's methods, embodied in the essay, On the Mode of Treating the Betels in the Val di Chianti, was the first attempt at a new science of politics. The embassies of Ma chiavelli also included one to the Emperor Maxi milian I., two to Pope IL. four to Louis
XII. of France. and many to the various Italian States. His letters and papers relating to these constitute an invaluable note-book upon the political conditions of the period.
The Florentine ship of state sailed in troubled waters in the years 1510-12 and soon, deserted by its allies, the Republic was left to fight its battle alone against the exiled Medici. hacked by the Papal power. Machiavelli worked with energy for the defense of the city. but with the overthrow of the Republic was involved in the downfall of his friend and patron. the Gonfa loniere Soderini (1512). As the Medici showed great moderation upon their restoration, Ma chiavelli seems to have entertained hope of re turning to his otlice, the income of which be needed, while the work suited his taste. lie was, however, dismissed and banished for a year from the city, but without permission to leave Floren tine territory, and put under bonds. It is worthy of note that he was able to render exact and cor rect accounts upon relinquishing his office. In 1513 he was arrested on suspicion of complicity in the conspiracy of Boscoli and Capponi, but after being put to the torture lie was adjudged innocent. Reduced to want and deprived of wholesome activities. he abandoned himself to debauchery and wrote verses and comedies. of which the best known is Mandray(da. Ile soon turned, however. to a better task, and wrote his great works on politics—II p•ineipe and Dis corsi sapra la prima deea di Tito Licit). Before 1520 Machiavelli gave the Prince its final form, and wrote all that was ever written of the Dis courses and the seven books on the Art of War. Some favor now began to be shown him. He was admitted to the company that gathered in the Orieellari Men:, and ventured to put forth a Di.ccoarse Touching the Reform of aot: fiminent in Port:tiff, advocating the reeciablish meat of the Republic. Ile was commissioned by the directors of the Studio Public°, chiefly through the influence of Cardinal Giulio de' _Medici to whom as Pope Clement VI I. the was dedicated), to write a history of nor encl.\ For this work, the Istoric florentinc, ine received a yearly stipend of one hundred florins. Ile was thus actively engaged in literary work during his later years, and in 1521 lie resumed official work for the State, and was again em ployed on diplomatic missions in Italy. Return ing to Fh.renee from one of these absences in May. 1527, he became ill and died, June 22d. llis body was buried in the family vault in the Church of Santa Croce, and in 1787, through the efforts of Earl Cowper, a monument was erected to his memory over his tomb.