Capra, Baldassar

1. Dates

Born: Italy, 1580

Died: Italy, 1626

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 46

2. Father

Occupation: An Aristocrat

He was the son of Count Marco Aurelio Capra (whose financial situation was anything but solid). A member of a noble family (a count according to Poggendorff), which included Galeazzo Capra, secretary and historian to Duke Francesco II, last Sforza of Milan.

Clearly stated that he was rather poor.

3. Nationality

Birth: Italy

Career: Italy

Death: Italy

4. Education

Schooling: Padua, M.D.

Studied under Simon Mayr (Marius) at Padua, received his degree in medicine. I assume B.A.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic (assumed)

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astronomy, Astrology

7. Means of Support

Primary: Medical Practice

A practicing doctor (Poggendorff Biographische Woerterbuch zur Geschichte der Exacten Wissenschaften, p. 374 [ref. Z7404.P72 v.1].)

8. Patronage

Type: None

Anti-Patronage? At the end of 1620, when he asked to register at the medical college in Milan, he was energeticly opposed by Lodovico Settala because of his behavior against Galileo.

9. Technological Involvement

Type: Practiced Medicine

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None known

Sources

1. G. Gliozzi, "Capra," Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, 19 (Rome, 1976), 106-108. [ref. CT1123.D62 v.19]
2. Note: Further sources are listed in the D.S.B., but Gliozzi appears to be best and most accessable.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.