Niccolò Machiavelli

1469–1527 · Italy

Renaissance1 work in canonPhilosophy

Biography

Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and writer, considered the father of modern political science. His treatise The Prince, written after his exile from political life, scandalously separated politics from morality. Its pragmatic analysis of power made 'Machiavellian' a byword for cunning, though the work is far more nuanced than its reputation suggests.

Works in Canon (1)