Francesco Foscari
Francesco Foscari (1373 - 1457) was Doge of the Republic of Venice. His dogato was the longest in the history of the Republic (more than 34 years, from 1423 to 1457), and was characterized by the greatest territorial expansion of Venice, bringing together under the power of the Serenissima all of Veneto, Friuli and much of of Lombardy. His rule was interrupted not by his death, but by order of the Council of Ten, which forced him to abdicate. It was Francesco Foscari who rebuilt the famous palace on the Grand Canal that bears his name, and which today is the headquarters of the Ca' Foscari University.