Cicco Simonetta

Francesco (Cicco) Simonetta (1410 – 30 October 1480) was an Italian Renaissance statesman who composed an early treatise on cryptography.

His mother Bianca Maria and the other influential families did not approve of his capricious conduct of state affairs, but Simonetta sided with Galeazzo.

He manoeuvred to maintain stability in the Milanese state during the endemic conflicts between Guelphs, Ghibellines and the various wars and interstate alliances.

Simonetta's power provoked the hatred of Ludovico il Moro (1452–1508), one of the younger brothers of Galeazzo, who plotted to seize the duchy.

After many personal vicissitudes, Ludovico managed to gain the confidence of the duchess and convinced her to arrest Simonetta.

His body was buried in the cloister of Sant’Apollinare, outside the Milan city walls, to mark the end of his influence in Milanese politics.

With the advent of printing, Milan had become a cultural centre unequalled in all of Europe, until it fell into foreign hands after the death of Ludovico il Moro.

His notes were anticipated by Leon Battista Alberti in his theoretical, but more comprehensive, treatise De Cifris, which earned him the title of Father of Western Cryptology.