Fontana, Francesco Ludovico

Fontana, Francesco Ludovico an Italian prelate, was born August 28, 1750, at Casala Maggiore (duchy of Milan); entered the Barnabite order in 1767; eventually became professor of eloquence in the College of Milan, where he acquired great fluency in the Greek language; in 1804 he accompanied Pius VII to France, and on the return of the pope to Rome was made cardinal, March 8, 1816, placed at the head of the congregation of the Index, still retaining his title as superior-general of the Barnabites. He died at Rome, March 19, 1822. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.