Veronica Gambara (1485–1550)

Veronica da Gambara was born into a distinguished aristocratic Lombard family, the daughter of Conte Gianfrancesco da Gambara and his wife Alda Pio di Carpi. Her brother became a cardinal. She was related to the poet and humanist writer Isotta Nogarola. In 1509, Veronica married Gilberto X, conte di Correggio, with whom she had two sons. With the death of her husband in 1518, Veronica da Gambara administered the family estate of Casino Castle in Correggio until her sons reached the age of majority. As a ruler of considerable skill, Veronica managed to save Correggio from an invading army in 1538 and was much honoured by her subjects. She was an avid supporter of the humanists and other literatti of the period, and established a famous salon in Corregio, where she received Torquato Tasso and Pietro Aretino, among many others. She composed poetry in the style of Petrarch. Veronica da Gambara's verse and personal correspondence were published in the mid-18th century as Rime e lettere di Veronica Gambara ("Poetry and Letters of Veronica Gambara").