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==Introduction==[[File:Boccaccio 1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Statue of Boccaccio in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence]]__NOTOC__The Renaissance was one of the most important periods in the history of the western world. This era saw the development of the modern conception of the individual, the emergence of humanism and new forms of cultural expression, all of which influence us to this day. There are many important figures in this era which lasted roughly two centuries (1320-1527 AD), who contributed to the Renaissance and the revival of European culture. These included great artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo and great writers such as Petrarch, Dante, and Machiavelli. One writer who made a dramatic contribution to the Renaissance was Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375), although his contribution is often neglected. This article argues that Boccaccio was an important figure in the development of Humanism, the Italian language and the development of modern literature. [[File:Boccaccio 1.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Statue of Boccaccio in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence]