Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was an Italian Renaissance philosopher, politician, military strategist, poet, playwright, and historian. However, Macchiavelli is most well-known for his politics, as he is often cited as the father of modern political theory. His works even inspired the term "Macchiavellian," which today is used to describe cunning or deceitful actions in the field of politics.
John Lotherington has written widely on Renaissance literature and history, including co-authored surveys of sixteenth-century Europe, Years of Renewal, and sixteenth-century England, The Tudor Years. He is at present a Program Director at the Salzburg Global Seminar.