Piero Boitani

Piero Boitani serves as Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Rome Sapienza since 1998, and previously held the position of Professor of English Literature at the same institution from 1985 to 1998. He also served as Chair of Comparative Literature at the University of Italian Switzerland in Lugano from 2007 to 2010 and directed the SUM-Sapienza Ph.D. program in European Literature and Culture from 2004 to 2010.

Professor Boitani's scholarly work focuses on Modern literature, Dante studies, Medieval literature, and Ancient myth. His extensive research has established him as a leading authority in comparative literary studies, particularly in the fields of medieval and Renaissance literature. His work bridges historical literary traditions with contemporary critical approaches, examining the evolution of literary forms and themes across centuries.

Boitani's distinguished career has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including the Feltrinelli Prize (2002), De Sanctis Prize (2010), and the Balzan Prize (2016). He holds membership in multiple esteemed academies including the British Academy, Academia Europaea, Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, Accademia dei Lincei, and serves as Arts and Humanities Advisor to the American Academy in Rome.

As former President of the European Society for English Studies (1989-1995), Professor Boitani has significantly influenced literary scholarship across Europe. His leadership roles in major academic institutions demonstrate his commitment to advancing comparative literature as a discipline and fostering international scholarly collaboration in the humanities.