Argoli, Andrea

1. Dates

Born: Italy, 1570

Died: Italy, 1657

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 87

2. Father

Occupation: A Lawyer

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: Italian

Career: Italian

Death: Italian

4. Education

Schooling: No University

He reportedly studied with Magini, which would put him in Padua around 1600.

According to his own statement, however, he studied without the help of a master.

I assume no B.A.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic

After recovering from a serious illness in 1646, Argoli wore the monastic habit (I am not sure if this means that he tooks orders) for the rest of his life in gratitude.

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astrology, Astronomy

Subordinate: Medicine

7. Means of Support

Primary: Academic Position

Secondary: Patronage 1622-7, held chair of mathematics at Sapienza in Rome.

Argoli's astrological studies together with his inability to restrain his tongue about them made it advisable for him to leave Rome. Recall that this was the time of Urban's scare. Argoli decided that Venice would be a safe haven.

1632-57, Professor of Mathematics at Padua, at an initial salary of 500 florins, which was later increased.

8. Patronage

Types: City Magistrate, Eccesiastic Official, Aristrocrat, Court Official

After Castelli replaced him at the Sapienze, Card. Biscia supported him for five years.

The Republic gave him the chair at Padua.

In 1638, the Republic gave him the title of a knight of St. Mark, presented him with a gold chain, and raised his salary "considerablement;" by 1651 his salary was 1100 florins.

Argoli dedicated his Ephemerides, 1623, to the Abbot of the Congregation of the Camaldolesi of Santa Maria.

He dedicated an Ephemerides of 1629 to Prince Filippo Colonna.

He dedicated De diebus criticis, 1652, and Ptolomaeus parvus, 1652, to Queen Christina of Sweden.

9. Technological Involvement

Types: None

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Students: He reportedly taught Wallenstein and his astrologer Giambattista Zenno.

In Venice, he was secretary of the Accademia degli Incogniti, of which I know nothing though it is not mentioned as a scientific society.

Sources

1. M. Gliozzi, "Argoli," Dizionario biografico degli italiani, IV (Rome, 1964), 132-4. [ref. CT1123.D62 v.4]
2. R.P. Niceron, Memoires pour servir a l'histoire des hommes illustres, 39 (Paris, 1738), 325-31. [Lilly]
3. G.M.Mazzuchelli, Gli scrittori d'Italia, (Brescia, 1753- ), 1, pt. 2.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University