ACCIAIUOLI, DONATO. – Man of letters and orator of the age of Lorenzo de' Medici, b. in Florence in 1429, d. in Milan in 1478. He studied philosophy and rhetoric under distinguished masters. In 1461 he was vicar of Casentino and Poppi, then gonfalonier of justice and, as an ambassador, gave proof of his diplomatic ability.
His translations of works by Aristotle, Plutarch, and Leonardo Bruni are noteworthy; from the latter’s Storia Fiorentina he drew much information for the Vita di Carlo Magno. There are several orations delivered by him, the most famous being that on the occasion of the election of Sixtus IV. He was buried in the Certosa of Florence. His works lack originality of thought, but they helped disseminate classical culture, especially Aristotelian philosophy.