The article recalls the scientific research path that Luca Serianni covered from 1972 to 2022, when he was the victim of a lethal accident. His scientific contributions are briefly outlined, from the initial research about Tuscan dialects up to full-fledged articles and monographs pertaining to the Italian literary language – from Dante to selected contemporary poets and prose writers. A thorough glance is also cast over his important works concerning etymology, lexicography, and special languages.