Filippo Maria Casoni Italian historian of the 17th–18th centuries Date of Birth: 01.01.1662 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Family
2. Historical Works
3. Arrest and Imprisonment
4. Release and Continued Work
5. Literary Adventures
6. Access to Archives and Final Years

Early Life and Family

Giovan Battista Casoni was born on April 13, 1662, in Genoa, Italy. As the eldest son of Giovanni Michele Casoni and Maria Giacinta, née Ceri di Giacomo, he belonged to a distinguished patrician family that traced its roots back to the 16th century. Traditionally involved in law and medicine, Casoni broke from the family tradition and pursued a career in history.

Historical Works

In 1691, Casoni published his first historical work, "Life of Ambrogio Spinola, Conqueror of Territories," a biography of the Genoese military leader. The book's success led him to further historical research, utilizing family archives and unpublished materials.

Arrest and Imprisonment

In September 1691, Casoni fell in love with Apollonia Accarone, a woman from a wealthy patrician family. Denied her hand in marriage, he arranged her elopement with her consent. The Accarone family demanded his arrest, and he was imprisoned in the Torre fortress. Despite their eventual forgiveness, Casoni was sentenced to 20 years in prison on March 4, 1692. During his imprisonment, he began writing "Annals of the History of Genoa," covering the period from 1508 to 1598.

Release and Continued Work

In 1695, Casoni was released from prison due to ill health. While returning to his legal career, he continued his historical research. However, his "Annals" faced censorship, and his request for permission to publish was denied by the Inquisition.

Literary Adventures

In 1701, Casoni published the first part of "History of Louis the Great," but the second volume was banned in 1704 due to its anti-Spanish and pro-French stance. Despite this, the complete work was eventually published in 1721. In 1708, he finally obtained permission to publish the first part of his "Annals of the History of Genoa."

Access to Archives and Final Years

From 1707 to 1721, Casoni had access to the Genoese archives, allowing him to complete his "Annals." In 1721, the second part was heavily censored, and publication was denied. However, Casoni was recognized as a patrician, a title his grandfather had held. He passed the title to his three-year-old son before his death on June 3, 1723.