Abstract
(1628–1694.)
THE three-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Marcello Malpighi, the Italian whom Sir Michael Foster designated " anatomist, physiologist, botanist, pathologist, biologist, and above all natural philosopher," occurs on Mar. 10. Born at Crevaleore, a village near Bologna, Malpighi was one of the sons of a small farmer. Proceeding to the University of Bologna, he engaged in medical studies, graduating there in 1653, after four years' work, with a doctor's degree. Three years later he transferred to the University of Pisa, taking up the professorship of medicine; here he formed a friendship with Borelli, the mathematician, who encouraged him to pursue researches in anatomy. In 1662, Malpighi removed to Messina to occupy the chair of medicine, remaining there four years. Always subject to insecure health, a request to return to Bologna was willingly obeyed, and there Malpighi spent twentyfive years, fruitful in results. Summoned to Rome in 1691 as first physician to Pope Innocent XII., he died in that city three years later whilst holding office. Such is the summary of his ordinary life avocations.
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JAMES, T. Marcello Malpighi. Nature 121, 358–359 (1928). https://doi.org/10.1038/121358a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/121358a0