Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was an Italian adventurer and author.
Background
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born on April 2, 1725 in Venice, Italy.
His father belonged to an ancient and even noble family, but alienated his friends by embracing the dramatic profession early in life.
He made a runaway marriage with Zanetta Farusi, the beautiful daughter of a Venetian shoemaker and Giovanni was their eldest child. When he was but a year old, his parents, taking a journey to London, left him in charge of his grandmother, who, perceiving his precocious and lively intellect, had him educated far above her means.
Education
At sixteen Giacomo Girolamo Casanova passed his examination and entered the seminary of St Cyprian in Venice, from which he was expelled a short time afterwards for some scandalous and immoral conduct.
Career
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova began that existence of adventure and intrigue which only ended with his death.
He visited Rome, Naples, Corfu and Constantinople.
On the 1st of November 1756 hesucceeded in escaping, and made his way to Paris.
In 17 59 he set out again on his travels.
He visited in turn the Netherlands, South Germany, Switzerland-where he made the acquaintance of Voltaire, -Savoy, southern France, Florence- whence he was expelled, -and Rome, where the pope gave him the order of the Golden Spur.
In 1761 he returned to Paris, and for the next four or five years lived partly here, partly in England, South Germany and Italy.
In 1764 he was in Berlin, where he refused the offer of a post made him by Frederick II.
A scandal, followed by a duel, forced him to flee, and he returned by a devious route to Paris, only to find a lettre de cachet awaiting him, which drove him to seek refuge in Spain.
Expelled from Madrid in 1769, he went by way of Aix-where he met Cagliostro-to Italy once more.
Achievements
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova wrote his autobiography, Histoire de ma vie (Story of My Life). and it's one of the most authentic sources of the customs and norms of European social life during the 18th century.
Connections
When Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was but a year old, his parents, taking a journey to London, left him in charge of his grandmother, who, perceiving his precocious and lively intellect, had him educated far above her means.
