Firenzuola, AGNOLO, Italian writer, was born at Florence, 28th September 1493. Having studied law at Siena and Perugia, he began to practise as an advocate in Rome. But in a few years he enrolled himself in the monastic order of Vallombrosa.
On the death of Clement VII. he left Rome, and finally became abbot of Prato, where, or at Rome, he died before 1548. His chief works are a spirited paraphrase of the Golden Ass of Apuleius, a work in close imitation of the Decameron, a eulogistic discussion concerning the charms of the fair sex, a couple of comedies, and some poems. Firenzuola's works are distinguished for the classic elegance of their style, as well as notorious for their licentiousness. The best collected edition is one published at Florence (2 vols. 1848).