Dante Alighieri, The Supreme Poet. Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher between 1265-1321. His "Divine Comedy" is widely considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the greatest literary work in the Italian language.

Dante was instrumental in establishing the literature of Italy. His depictions of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven provided inspiration for the larger body of Western art and literature. In addition, the first use of the interlocking three-line rhyme scheme, or the terza rima, is attributed to him. He is described as the "father" of the Italian language, and in Italy, he is often referred to as il Sommo Poeta ("the Supreme Poet").