Bottari, Giovanni Gaitano

Bottari, Giovanni Gaitano a learned Italian prelate, was born at Florence, Jan. 15, 1689. At the age of ten-years he studied ancient literature and eloquence under Antonio Marie Biscioni, with whom he formed a friendly alliance, and whom, on one occasion, he aided in his labors. He applied himself to the study of the Greek language, mathematics, philosophy, and theology. The Accademia della Crusca confided to him the reprint of its large dictionary, in which work he associated the marquis Andrea Alamanni and Rosso Martini. He afterwards had charge of the printing-house of the grand-duke of Tuscany. At Rome, where he established himself in 1730, he became canon, professor of ecclesiastical history and controversy at the College of Sapienca, and prelate of the palace. He was appointed by Clement XII

custodian of the library of the Vatican, and there arranged a cabinet of medals according to the wishes of the pope. His friend, Benedict XIV, gave to him the canonship of St. Marie Traustevesine, and wished to have him in his palace as chaplain. He died. at Rome, June 3, 1775, leaving many works, among which we mention, Lezioni tre Sopra il Tremnoto (Rome, 1733, 1748): — Del Museo Capitolino, Tomo Primo, Contenente' magini di Uomini Illustri (ibid. 1741); vol. ii is in Latin, Musei Capitolini Tomus Secundus, Augustorum et Augustanarum Hermnos Continens, cum Observationibus Italice Primum, nunc Latine Editis (ibid. 1750). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.