Boccaccio's Life of Dante is a short biography of the poet of the Divine Comedy, written in the generation after Dante's death. It describes his youth, his love for Beatrice, his studies, his part in the politics of Florence and his long exile. It also praises his poetry and defends the dignity of poets. The account mixes fact with admiring tradition, so modern readers treat some details with caution. It is valuable as an early tribute from one great writer to another.