Cosimo de Medici

Cosimo de Medici (1389-1464) was the founder of the Medici dynasty, effective rulers of Florence. Cosimo inherited both his wealth and his flair for business from his father Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici, a banker. In 1433 Cosimo was exiled from Florence by Rinaldo degli Albizzi[?], but his fortunes soon changed, and he returned in 1434. On his death in 1464, Cosimo was succeeded by his son Piero, father of Lorenzo the Magnificant.

Cosimo was also noted for his patronage of culture and the arts.