Anguillara [Squalermo], Luigi

1. Dates

Born: Anguillara (Sabazia) ca.1512

Died: Ferrara, 5 Sept. 1570

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 58

2. Father

Occupation: Physician

Francesco Squalermo, physician to Leo X.

I assume that he was reared in affluent circumstances. However, there are contradictions in his career. He had no university education. Conceivably his father died while he was young. I find nothing said.

3. Nationality

Birth: Anguillara, Sabazia, Italy

Career: Italy

Death: Ferrara,Italy

4. Education

Schooling: No University

Little is known about his early life. In 1539 he became associated with Luca Ghini at Ghini's private garden in Pisa, where perhaps he received his botanical training.

It is clear that he had no university education.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic (assumed)

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Botany

Subordinate: Pharmacology

7. Means of Support

Primary: Patronage, Government

In 1539 he became associated with Luca Ghini at the latter's private botanical garden,first in Bologna, then in Pisa in 1544,

1546-61, the first director of the botanical garden in Padua.

1561-70, herbalist to the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso II.

8. Patronage

Types: Scientist, Aristrocrat, Court Official

See above for the roles of Luca Ghini and the Duke of Ferrara.

In 1561 he prepared a spice garden for the Duke of Savoy after receiving an invitation from him.

He was friendly with the Venetian patrician, Pietro Antonio Michiel, who helped him build up the botanical garden and who defended Anguillara from enemies.

9. Technological Involvement

Type: Pharmacology

His enterprise in botany gets listed under "simples," i.e, the use of plants as medicines.

He was known for the preparation of antidotes.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

He was in touch with other botanists such as Aldrovandi, though I find frequent suggestions that they disdained Anguillara because of his lack of education.

Sources

1. Giovanni Battista De Toni, "Nuovi documenti intorno Luigi Anguillara, primo prefetto dell'Orto Botanica di Padova," Atti del Istituto veneto di scienze, lettere ed arti, 70 (1910-11), 289-307.
2. Nouvelle biographie générale.
3. Aldo Mieli, Gli scienziati italiani, (Roma, 1923), pp. 76-8.
4. P.A. Saccardo, "La botanica in Italia," Memorie del Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, 26 and 27 (1895 and 1901).
5. G.M.Mazzuchelli, Gli scrittori d'Italia, (Brescia, 1753- ), 1, pt. 2, 791. What Mazzuchelli says about Anguillara's life before 1546 is in conflict with all other sources and I think should be rejected.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University