Person Marsigli; Luigi Ferdinand (1658 - 1730); scholar, soldier, and natural philosopher Marsigli Luigi Ferdinand scholar, soldier, and natural philosopher Luigi Ferdinando Marsill Marsili 1658 - 1730 Italian Male Papal state of Bologna, [modern day Italy], Europe 10 July 1658 16580620 Papal state of Bologna, [modern day Italy], Europe 1 November 1730 17301101

Author; Soldier Natural history Geography Education: Pupil of Marcello Malpighi (FRS 1669) at Bologna Career: Travelled to Constantinople (1678), where he collected natural history specimens and information about the Ottoman Army; served in the Army of Emperor Leopold I (1682-1704); wounded and captured by Tartars (1682) he witnessed the siege of Vienna as a slave and was rescued (1684); patient of Giacopo Grande (FRS 1690) and Malpighi; Director of the siege works at Buda; Colonel (1690); represented the Emperor in Constantinople at the negotiations for the frontier of Dalmatia; brought back to Vienna a large collection of Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hebrew manuscripts; General in the War of the Spanish Succession; accused of cowardice; travelled to Switzerland, Paris and Marseille, where he settled; Commander of the Papal Army (1709); gave his collections of scientific instruments, maps and natural history specimens to the University of Bologna, where they became the foundation of the Istituto delle Scienze e Belle Arti; travelled to England and Holland; on his return to Bologna, founded a printing press with a stock of non-Latin type; climbed Monte Cimone, the highest peak of the northern Appenines (1719) Memberships: Foreign Member, Academie Royale des Sciences; Accademia delle Scienze dell'Istituto di Bologna (1712, Founder) Parents: Count Carlo Marsigli and Margherita Ercolani Siblings: Antonio Felice Marsigli Marsigli's interest in natural history was reportedly inspired by a visit to the University of Padua's vegetable garden in 1673. His observations from his travels to the Bosphorus and Constantinople (Istanbul) were communicated to the Swedish Queen Christina is now considered one of his most important early works. Here, he reported on the salt water in the Black Sea. Following his time as prisoner of war of the Turkish forces during the siege of Vienna, he published a work on the use of coffee beans. During this time, he also became increasingly interested in the physics and chemistry of metals, gunpowder, and weapons. After his death, he bequeathed his substantial library and collection of instruments, minerals, and antiquities to the city of Bologna. He is also remembered for his support of the Specola Observatory in Bologna. Fellow 25/11/1691 33 Proposed on the same day as his election; Correspondent on his natural history and geographical observations Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DSB; IBI; Adelmann; Fantuzzi Authority: First two Altname from Hunter, last from DSB. References: Cavazza, M. 1980. 'Bologna and the Royal Society in the Seventeenth Century', in Notes and Records, vol. 35, pp. 105-123 Cavazza, M. 2002. 'The Institute of Science of Bologna and the Royal Society in the eighteenth century', in Notes and Records, vol. 56, pp. 3-25 Hall, M B. 1982-83. 'The Royal Society and Italy 1667-1795', in Notes and Records, vol. 37, pp. 63-81 McConnell, A. 1986-87. 'L F Marsigli's Voyage to London and Holland, 1721-1722', in Notes and Records, vol. 41, pp. 39-76 McConnell, A. 1993. 'L F Marsigli's Visit to London in 1721, and his Report on the Royal Society', in Notes and Records, vol. 47, pp. 179-204 McConnell, A. 1997. ''The Danube Displayed', review of John Stoye, Marsigli's Europe 1680-1730, the Life and Times of Luigi Ferdinanto Marsigli, Soldier and Virtuoso', in Notes and Records, vol. 51, pp. 142-144Notes: DSB gives birth date as 20 July 1658, IBI has 10 July. Index to BR gives election date as '1692 ?'. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 RCN: R70737 RCN: 54599 RCN: 29133 10 or 20 Jul 1658 - 1 Nov 1730 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 29/11/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA8258 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 05/06/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/27075563 45255aa4-9efe-4927-a2f6-6572693ba9a0