TADDEI, Maurizio. Rome 3.3.1936 — Rome 5.2.2000. Italian Art Historian and Archaeologist of South Asia. Professor in Naples. Studies at La Sapienza in Rome, graduated 1961 (under Bussagli). In 1964-74 worked in Museo Nazionale d’Arte Orientale (Rome). From 1967 Professor incaricato of Indian Art and Archaeology at I.U.O.N. in Naples,…
SEBASTIANI, Leopoldo. Rome 1770 — Rome 5.9.1843. Italian Missionary. Son of Vincenzo S. Worked as sub-librarian in Vatican before taking missionary career, working for Propaganda Fide. Before 1821 he had spent ten years in Turkey and, after a brief sejour in Rome, five in Persia and Afghanistan (1803-1808) and five…
RUBINO, Giovanni Antonio. Strambino (Turin) 1.3.1578 — Mount Unzen (Nagasaki), Japan 16.3.1643. S.J. Italian Missionary in India. Novice 1596, studies in Milano. Sailed from Lisbon in 1602. Ordained priest 1605 in Goa. Worked in Jesuit academies in Goa, Madras (1613-17), Cochin (1617-19, 1627-37), Colombo (1619-23), and Tuticorin (1623-27), teaching mathematics, soon also…
PUGLISI PICO, Mario. Aci S.Antonio near Catania 31.12.1867 — Parma 11.12.1954. Italian Philosopher, Theologian and Ecumenical Methodist. Professor (in Florence?). Publications: Translated: Consigli ai cattivi poeti, poema Indostanica. Palermo 1891 (Mīr Taqī Mīr’s Ajgarnāma). – Much on Italian (esp. Sicilian) literature, religion, philosophy, etc. Sources: S. Corso, “MPP (1867–1954). Dalla letteratura alla filosofia di Brentano…
PORRU, Giulia. 1913 — 2000 (?). Italian Linguist. Studies at Florence, i.a. under Devoto. Ph.D. 1937 Florence, PD in glottologia 1943. From 1946 Professore indaricato di filologia Germanica at Florence, also taught general linguistics. She was the first Italian to show interest in phonology. Publications: “I verbi della VII classe dell’antico…
PEZZONI, Antonino. Lodi 19.11.1777 — Lugano 4.10.1844. O.F.M.Cap. Italian Missionary in India. Monsignore. Vicar Apostolic of Tibet-Hindustan in Agra and Titular Bishop of Esbus (Esbona, Hesbon) in 1826-42, then retired after more than 35 years’ service in India and returned to Italy. Publications: Grammatica italiana e indostana. 462 p. Sardhana 1874.…
PERUSCHI, Giovanni Battista. 1525 — 1598. S.J. Italian Missionary (?). Rector of Collegio di Como, from 1573 in Rome. Derived much of his account from Monserrate. Publications: Informatione del regno, e stato del gran rè di Mogor, della sua persona, qualita, e costumi, e delli buoni segni, e congietture della sua conversione…
PAPI, Carmelo Dionisio Lazaro. Pontito near Pescia, Tuscany 23.10.1763 — Lucca 25.12.1834.Italian Traveller. Son of Alberto Papi and Fiora Pierini. For a while studied in a seminary, then served briefly in Neapolitan army, worked as tutor and studied medicine at Lucca and Pisa. In the early 1790s went to India, arriving…
ONORATO DA UDINE (Franciscus Honoratus ad Utino, lay Giangiacomo). Tomba near Udine 7.11.1757 — Rome 8.12.1836. Italian Capuchin Missionary in India. Went to India in 1792, worked many years in Pondicherry, Surat, Madras and Masulipatan. Very little is known of his life (except some contradicting mentions, claiming he worked in Tibet, Madagascar, or…
MONTESI, Giancarlo. 1928 — 1983. Italian Scholar of Religion. Ph.D. 1954 Rome, under Pettazzoni. Worked at La Sapienzà teaching comparative religion. Publications: Diss. Tamas – Usas – Rtà. [1954]. – “II valore cosmico dell’Aurora nel pensiero mitologico del Rig-Veda”, Studi e materiali per la storia delle religioni 24-25, 1953-54, 111-132; “Uṣāsānaktā. Mitologia vedica della notte”, Studi…