LONGEST LECTURE

Italian Scholar to Discuss Francesco Petrarca in Christopher Longest Lecture Nov. 5.

A world renowned scholar in Italian studies visits the University of Mississippi Monday, Nov. 5 , to discuss Francesco Petrarca (known in English as Petrarch), an Italian scholar and poet who is considered by many to be the father of the Renaissance.

Speaking at 6:30 p.m. in Bondurant Auditorium, Diego Zancani has titled his address "Renaissance Misogyny and the Rejection of Petrarch." The 47th annual Christopher Longest Lecture is free and open to the public. A widely published author of Italian poetry, language and culture of the Renaissance period, Zancani is a Fellow of Balliol College at Oxford University. His research interests include the history of Italian language and dialects, and the history of early printing, as well as Renaissance literature and Italian courts. He received the equivalent of a doctoral degree in foreign languages from Bocconi University in Milan in 1967. "We are truly honored and excited to receive Professor Zancani as our Longest lecturer," said Donald Dyer, chair of modern languages. "Italian studies is a less common offering in this series, and his expertise and engaging style will make this a special event."

UM faculty member Angela Tumini, professor of Italian and European film studies, learned firsthand of Zancani's expertise when he served as her doctoral thesis adviser at Oxford University. "Dr. Zancani's lecture will provide a better understanding of Italian society during the Renaissance and how women were regarded during that time," Tumini said. "He's a very entertaining speaker."

The Christopher Longest Lecture series was established at UM in 1960 by Ann Waller Reins Longest, in recognition of Christopher Longest's distinguished service to the university from 1908 to 1951 in the departments of Classics and Modern Languages. The annual lectures are delivered by scholars in the fields of the modern languages and English literature.

For more information or assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7298. To learn more about UM's departments of Classics and Modern Languages, visit