Giovanni Manzoni was an influential Italian novelist and poet, born on March 7, 1785, in Milan. He is best known for his historical novel, The Betrothed (Italian: I Promessi Sposi), published in 1827. This work is considered a cornerstone of Italian literature and explores themes of love, faith, and social justice during the 17th century. Manzoni was also a prominent figure in the Italian Romantic movement and contributed to the development of the Italian language. He was deeply involved in the cultural and political life of his time, advocating for Italian unification. He passed away on May 22, 1873.