Martini, Antonio

Martini, Antonio an Italian prelate, was born at Prato in 1720. Having chosen an ecclesiastical career, and possessing a good knowledge of the ancient languages, he occupied his time in translating the sacred writings into Italian. Pius VI, informed of his merits, appointed him bishop of Bobio (1778); afterwards the grand duke of Tuscany called him to the archiepiscopacy of Florence (1781). Martini was greatly opposed to all new ideas, and decidedly manifested his opinion in haughtily condemning the doctrines of Ricci in the synod.