Casanova" redirects here. For other uses, see Casanova (disambiguation).
Giacomo Casanova
Casanova ritratto.jpg
Born 2 April 1725
Venice, Republic of Venice
Died 4 June 1798 (aged 73)
Dux, Kingdom of Bohemia, Holy Roman Empire (Czech Republic)
Parent(s) Gaetano Giuseppe Casanova
Zanetta Farussi
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒaːkomo dʒiˈrɔːlamo kasaˈnɔːva]; 2 April 1725 – 4 June 1798) was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. His autobiography, Histoire de ma vie (Story of My Life), is regarded as one of the most authentic sources of the customs and norms of European social life during the 18th century.[1]
As was not uncommon at the time, Casanova, depending on circumstances, used more or less fictitious names such as baron or count of Farussi (the name of his mother) or Chevalier de Seingalt (pronounced Saint-Galle, as in French).[2] He often signed his works Jacques Casanova de Seingalt after he began writing in French following his second exile from Venice.[3]
He has become so famous for his often complicated and elaborate affairs with women that his name is now synonymous with "womanizer". He associated with European royalty, popes and cardinals, along with luminaries such as Voltaire, Goethe and Mozart. He spent his last years in Bohemia as a librarian in Count Waldstein's household, where he also wrote the story of his life.