Author(s): Marco Polo

Non-Fiction

Marco Polo (September 15, 1254 - January 9, 1324) was a Venetian merchant traveler whose travels are recorded in Il Milione ("The Millions", now known as "The Travels of Marco Polo"), a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolo and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently met Kublai Khan. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, returning after 24 years to find Venice at war with Genoa; Marco was imprisoned, and dictated his stories to a cellmate. He was released in 1299, became a wealthy merchant, married and had three children. He died in 1324, and was buried in San Lorenzo.