Buonaccorso Pitti

Buonaccorso Pitti was a prominent Florentine merchant and gambler possibly the first professional gambler in modern history.

His diary contains information on his business activities as well as on political, social and economic life of the Renaissance Florence between 1412 and 1422. From his records it can be seen that he dealt in various commodities such as jewels, saffron, wine, horses, wool, and clothing among other things. He was even involved in loans and usury making in this way connections to high society of courts of Charles VI of France and Louis II of Anjou. As a prominent member of Florentine society, he served as diplomat and the Standard Bearer of Justice, Florence's highest post. In 1401 his family was ennobled by Rupert, the Holy Roman Emperor as reward for saving his life by poisoning attempt and was allowed to use an emblem from emperor’s coat of arms – the golden lion.