Jacopone da Todi [key], 1230?–1306, Italian religious poet, whose name was originally Jacopo Benedetti. After the sudden death of his wife, he renounced (c.1268) his career as an advocate, gave his goods to the poor, and after 10 years of penance became a Franciscan tertiary. Jacopone was excommunicated and imprisoned (1298) for signing a manifesto against Pope Boniface VIII. After his release, he retired to a hermitage. He wrote many ardent, mystical poems and is probably the author of the hymn Stabat Mater Dolorosa. The spiritual value of poverty is frequently the theme of his poetry.
See E. Underhill, Jacopone da Todi, Poet and Mystic (with selections, 1919); H. White, A Watch in the Night (1933).
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