Cosimo de' Medici, also known as Cosimo the Elder (1389 – 1 August 1464), was the first of the Medici family to effectively rule Florence. Born in Florence, he was the son of Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, who had established the family's wealth through banking. Cosimo expanded the family's influence through his banking and political activities, making the Medici one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Italy.
Cosimo was trained in business and banking from a young age, following in the footsteps of his father. After Giovanni's death in 1429, Cosimo and his brother Lorenzo inherited the family's banking empire. Through strategic loans and shrewd financial maneuvers, Cosimo amassed a considerable fortune, which he used to gain political power. He was not officially the ruler of Florence but wielded power as the leader of the Signoria, the governing body of the city, through his control over elections and political appointments.
Cosimo's patronage of the arts during the Renaissance was legendary. He commissioned works from artists like Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Fra Angelico, significantly contributing to the cultural richness of Florence. He supported the establishment of the Platonic Academy, where scholars like Marsilio Ficino translated and interpreted the works of Plato, fostering a revival of classical philosophy.
Despite his power, Cosimo's rise was not without challenges. In 1433, he was exiled from Florence due to accusations of corruption by his political rivals. However, his exile was short-lived, and he returned in 1434 after a coup d'état by his supporters. His return marked the beginning of the Medici's de facto rule over Florence, which would last for nearly three centuries.
In his later years, Cosimo focused more on cultural and architectural projects, including the construction of the Medici Riccardi Palace. He also played a key role in the development of the Florence Cathedral, especially in the completion of the dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Cosimo died in 1464, leaving behind a legacy of wealth, power, and cultural influence. His son, Piero di Cosimo, known as "Piero the Gouty," succeeded him, but it was his grandson, Lorenzo de' Medici, who would become known as "Lorenzo the Magnificent" and further solidify the family's legacy.