Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici

Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici, 1360-1429. Father of Cosimo de Medici, and great-grandfather of Lorenzo de Medici. Giovanni was somewhat uninterested in politics, unless it pertained to him and/or his bank. Often, when his name was chosen to participate in the Florentine government (reggimento), he chose to pay his fine rather than serve.

Giovanni ran an early "multi-national" company, as his bank held branches throughout the northern Italian city-states. In 1410, Giovanni bet on the return of the papacy to Rome, and was correct. Rewarding Giovanni for his support, subsequent popes made use de' Medici banks. Giovanni was also rewarded with tax-farming contracts and rights to many alum mines.

See also: Medici family