Paulus Jovius (Italian: Paolo Giovio; 19 April 1483 – 10 December, 1552), was an Italian historian and prelate. He was a follower of the Medici family, and wrote a biography of Pope Leo X soon after his death. Jovius was born in Como. In 1513 he settled in Rome and won the favor of Pope Leo X and of Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, (later Clement VII), whom he helped during the sack of Rome. In 1528, he became a bishop of Nocera. After Clement VII's death, he retired to a villa on Lake Como, where he kept his paintings, antiquities, etc. His collection was one of the first to include pieces from the New World. He is chiefly known as a historian, author of a celebrated work of contemporary history, Historiarum sui temporis libri XLV, of a collection of lives of famous men, Vitae virorum illustrium (1549‑57), and of Elogia virorum bellica virtute illustrium, which may be translated as Praise of Men Illustrious for Courage in War (1554). Jovius died at Florence.
His works online
- Elogia Doctorum Virorum (English translation, with life of Paulus Jovius)
- Vita de Leonis X (Latin text)
