Petrarch, often referred to as the father of Humanism, was an Italian scholar, poet, and one of the earliest Renaissance humanists born in 1304. He is best known for his sonnets, particularly those dedicated to Laura, which greatly influenced later poetry and literature. Petrarch's work emphasized the importance of classical texts and the exploration of individual emotion and experience, setting the stage for the literary developments of the Renaissance. His contributions to philosophy, literature, and the revival of classical ideas had a lasting impact on European culture.