Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

A key figure in the Italian Renaissance, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494) was descended from the royal houses of Concordia and Scandiano. His aptitude for ancient languages was documented from an early age, and at age 23 he defended 900 theses on philosophy and religion that justified human quest for knowledge. His attempt to publish the book was banned by the Catholic Church, the first printed book to be given such treatment. His turbulent life ended under mysterious circumstances, and centuries later, his body was exhumed and found to have been poisoned by arsenic.