Giuseppe Leggiadri Gallani (21 December 1516 – 1590) was an Italian poet and dramatist. He was a native of Parma in the era of the rule of the Farnese family. Biography Baptismal records of the Baptistry of Parma indicate that Giuseppe Lizardo (Joseph Lizadrus de Gallanis) was born on December 21 and baptised on December 28, 1516. His Godparents included Archbishop Jacobus de Colla, Father Dominicus de Salamonis, Don Franciscus de Bergonzus, Don Cosimeus Taiaferris, Donna Susanna Taiaferris, Donna Jacoba Cozama, Donna Gasparma de Balestris. He was the second child of four born to Ziardo and Susanna. He was the only one baptised with a second Christian name, probably because of the recent death of his Aunt Lizarda, born on February 23, 1490. It is likely that his sister Leggiadra was also named after her aunt (Ziardo's sister). The name 'Lizadrus' italianised as 'Leggiadri' became the second family name with the children of Giuseppe and continues to this day. Other members of Ziardo and Susanna’s family just used the surname Gallani. Although he studied to become a notary, he never practised, and took up a literary life. Following the assassination in 1547 of the Duke of Parma, Pier Luigi Farnese, his natural successor was his son Ottavio Farnese. When, however, Pope Paul III nominated Orazio Farnese, Duke of Castro, Ottavio's brother, Giuseppe, age 33, who had been loyal to Ottavio, was forced to flee to Naples. In Naples he served various nobles so as to continue his literary activities. In that various 'rime' are published in Venice in 1552 under the title 'Rime di diversi Illustri Signori Napoletani ...... ', could it be that he remained in Naples until this date? This would coincide with the publication of "La Guerra di Parma" (War of Parma) in 1552 in Parma. His loyalty to Ottavio Farnese found its maximum expression in his poem "La Guerra di Parma" (War of Parma) Compendio Storico Della Guerra Di Parma, 1548-1553 which he composed shortly after the war in which Ottavio allied with the French and Pope Julius III against the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Ottavio Farnese was, in fact, confirmed as Duke of Parma in 1551. Giuseppe is stated by some to have married Margherita Comina and they had 5 children, two boys, Antonio and Giovanni and 3 girls Margherita Virginia and Lucia. But his will dated April 21, 1567 states he in fact