Girolamo Priuli

Girolamo Priuli was a Venetian patrician active in the commerce and governance of the Venetian Republic who kept the diary describing the state affairs at the turn of 15th and 16th centuries. Girolamo was born into a noble Hungarian family who came to Venice as diplomats and gained citizenship around 1100. The family gained numerous prelates, magistrates, cardinals and three doges. As Venetian nobleman, Girolamo owned numerous properties in the city of Venice as well as in the neighboring provinces of Padua and Treviso. Before he succeeded his brother, Lorenzo Priuli as the head of the state, Girolamo was active as a merchant and banker. His life path was in accordance with beliefs described in his diary – since the Venetians had always been involved in commerce, those who knew how to run their business properly would be much better qualified to govern and understand the affairs of the state. Girolamo held the seat of the 83rd doge of Venice from 1567 until his death.