Niccolo Albergati was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1357, and became a Carthusian monk in 1394. After being chosen (against his will) Bishop of Bologna in 1417, he made his native city a center of learning, and among the young scholars who enjoyed his patronage was Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who afterwards became Pope Pius II. Albergati was employed by several popes as an ambassador, visiting in that capacity France and several of the Italian states, and receiving a cardinal's hat for his efforts in 1426. He played an important role in the Council of Basle-Ferrara-Florence and helped to bring about a short-lived union of the Roman and Greek Churches. He died at Sienna in 1443.