Crossword puzzle clues about 'Divine Comedy' author are basically always Dante, specifically Dante Alighieri. The quick-solve move is that "Dante" fits five spaces, which is incredibly common in grids. If the clue uses something like 'Italian poet' or 'Inferno creator', same answer. I've seen tricky variants where they want his full name, but that's rare; usually the clue length gives it away. Sometimes puzzles go for obscure references like 'The Bard's counterpart' or use his middle name, but I swear 99% of the time it's Dante.
Honestly, if you're stuck, just plug in Dante and see if the crossing letters work. Saves overthinking. I remember one puzzle had 'Divine Comedy scribe' and I blanked because I was overcomplicating it, trying to recall if Boccaccio or Petrarch had a hand in it—nope, just Dante. The crossing confirmed it.