Francesco Erspamer

Francesco Erspamer is a Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures (Italian) and Section Leader at Harvard University's Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. He holds a Laurea in Lettere and a Diploma di perfezionamento from Università di Roma "La Sapienza". His research focuses on Renaissance culture, intellectual history, modern/contemporary Italian novels, and the intersection of literature and politics. He contributes to Harvard Diary (Rai International) weekly and organizes the Zerilli-Marimò Prize for Italian Fiction.

He teaches courses like ITALIAN 201R (De Bosis Colloquium) and ITALIAN 111 (Italian Cinema) in Spring 2026. His publications span critical editions of Renaissance texts, analyses of Italian literary history, and explorations of cultural modernity. Erspamer’s work bridges textual scholarship with broader cultural critiques, emphasizing historical context and interdisciplinary approaches.

Key Contributions:

• Founded and oversees the Zerilli-Marimò Prize for Italian Fiction
• Regular contributor to Rivista dei libri
• Edited major works by Pietro Aretino and Sannazaro

Research Trends: His scholarship spans 16th-century Italian literature, cultural history, and modern Italian narratives. Recent works (2010–2009) address cultural critiques and modernity, while earlier studies (1982–1998) focus on Renaissance epistolary forms, Petrarchan influence, and Arcadian lyricism.