Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a diplomat, politician, and philosopher of the Italian Renaissance. Modern political philosophy and political science is founded on Machiavelli's writings. He served for many years as a senior official in the Florentine Republic with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. When the Medicis came to power, he was imprisoned and then retired to the writing of his works of political philosophy.
![Title: The Harvard Classics & Fiction Collection [180 Books], Author: Benjamin Franklin](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9782291082347_p0_v1_s192x300.jpg)
