Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Manzoni was an Italian poet, novelist, and philosopher, born on 7 March 1785 and died on 22 May 1873. He is best known for his novel The Betrothed (Italian: I promessi sposi), published in 1827, which is widely considered one of the masterpieces of world literature. This novel is also a symbol of the Italian Risorgimento due to its patriotic message and its role in the development of a modern, unified Italian language. Manzoni was an influential proponent of Liberal Catholicism in Italy. His work is often contrasted with that of his contemporary, Giacomo Leopardi. Manzoni also made significant contributions to the stabilization of the modern Italian language and the linguistic unity of Italy.