Francesco Castracane Antelminelli

Italy 1817-1899

Francesco Castrance Antelminelli was born at Fano, Italy in 1817. He was educated at the Jesuits' school at Reggio nell'Emilia, and was ordained priest in 1840. Four years later he was made canon of the cathedral of Fano, and at the same time resumed his studies at the Collegio dei Nobili in Rome. In 1852, he resigned his canonry and took up his residence at Rome. Antelminelli had a love of nature, and during the latter half of his life he worked on biological research. He was one of the first people to introduce microphotography into biology. His first experiments with microphotography was in 1862 with diatomaceæ, microscope algae that use photosynthesis, and he later on made microorganisms his main study.

While investigating the structure, physiological functions and processes of reproduction of the diatomaceæ, Antelminelli not only valued the knowledge they revealed for themselves, but the relevance of this information of other studies, such as biology, geology and hydrography. The extensive collections of diatomaceæ that were collected by the Challenger Expedition were entrusted to him for description and classification. Among these diatomaceæ he discovered 3 new genera, 225 new species and thirty new varieties. As well as an enthusiastic investigator of science, he was a devout priest. He led a simple life, and continued his work to the end, saying mass on the day he died. Antelminelli published many papers mostly about Accademia dei Nuovi Lincei, over whose meetings he presided.

Works Referenced

1. Francesco Castracane degli Antelminelli https://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2646