Dante Alighieri, Italian poet, was born in 1265 in Florence, Italy.  Dante’s mother died when he was a child and his father died when he was 18.  Dante married Gemma Donati.  In 1289 Dante fought at Campaldino and help several different military offices.  In 1302 Dante was banished from Florence.  He made several unsuccessful attempts to return with no luck.  Dante spent many years wandering and eventually settled in Ravenna where he died in 1321.  He is best known for “Divinia Commedia,” “Vita Nuova,” and “Convito.”