Basile, Giambattista

Giambattista Basile (c. 1575 - 1632), Italian aristocrat and writer, was born in Naples. He is famous for his anthology of folk and fairy tales, Lo cunto de li cunti overo lo trattenemiento de peccerille, which was published posthumously in two volumes by his sister in 1634 and 1636. Basile's famous stories include 'Cinderella,' 'Pentamerone' (1674), and 'Beauty and the Beast. '

Giambattista Basile was an Italian poet, courtier, soldier and fairy tale collector. His most famous collection was published posthumously by his sister. He is considered the only collector who compiled stories in their natural and original form.