Grisogono, Federico [Federicus De Chrysogonius]

1. Dates

Born: Dalmatia, 1472 or 73

Died: Dalmatia, 1538

Dateinfo: Birth Uncertain

Lifespan: 66

2. Father

Occupation: Aristocrat

Antun Grisogono was the head of a noble Zadar family, described as one of the most illustrious ones in Zara.

The details of Grisogono's own life, indicating the wealth he inherited, seem to make it obvious that the family was wealthy.

3. Nationality

Birth: Dalmatia, or better Croatia (Yugoslavia)

Career: Dalmatia (Yugoslavia)

Death: Dalmatia (Yugoslavia)

4. Education

Schooling: Padua. M.D.

He studied philosophy and medicine at Padua at the same time when Copernicus was studying mathematics. B.A. about 1507. He also obtained an M.D.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astronomy, Astrology, Mathematics

His small book, Speculum astronomicum (Venice, 1507) was a theoretical-mathematical commentary on Euclid's principles of geometry. [I must say that this sounds strange.] His major work, Federici de modo collegiandi... was printed in Venice in 1528. I am not sure if this work was astrological, but Grisogono was clearly involved in astrology.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Personal Means

Secondary: City Magistrate, Medicine

He was born into one of the most illustrious families in Zadar, Dalmatia.

After military adventures in Italy and France, he went to study at Padua. While there he received sixty-six florins a year (presumably from his personal wealth).

Upon receiving his doctorate, he taught astrology and mathematics at Padua until returning home in 1508.

He spent the rest of his life in Zadar as a rich aristocrat: administering property, holding public office, and practicing medicine.

He was a town council member and a counsellor of the prince of Zadar in 1527.

8. Patronage

Type: None

9. Technological Involvement

Types: Medical Practice, Civil Engineering

In 1537 he was involved with the problem of harbor construction in Rimini.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Sources

1. M.D. Grmek, "Prinosi za poznavanje zivota i rada F. Grisogona," Radovi instituta Jugoslavenske akademie u Zadru, 15 (1968), 61-91.

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.