Nuzzi, Ferdinand

Nuzzi, Ferdinand an Italian cardinal, was born Sept. 10, 1645, in Orta, within the territory recently called the Pontifical States. He was nine years old when his mother, having become a widow, sent him to Rome to pursue his studies. Applying himself to jurisprudence, civil as well as canonical, he was soon regarded as one of the most skillful lawyers of Italy. In 1686 Innocent XI appointed him commissary of the Apostolic Chamber and canon of St. Peter. Alexander VIII often had recourse to- his counsels. Innocent XII made his treasurer of the Apostolic Chamber, secretary of the Congregation of the Council, and member of that of the rites. In the midst of all his duties Nuzzi preserved his love for the sciences, and his house was the rendezvous for savans, who formed there a sort of academy where all sorts of subjects were discussed. Clement XI created him cardinal (Dec. 16, 1715) and bishop of Orvieto. He died in Orvieto Nov. 30, 1717. As prefect of Annone, he published Discorso intorno alla coltivazione della Campagna di Roma (Rome, 1702, fol.). He described the sad effects of the want of culture in the country near Rome; but his work had not the result that he promised himself. His nephew, Nuzzi (Innocent), honorary chancellor of Benedict XIV, raised a magnificent mausoleum to his uncle in the cathedral of Orvieto, and translated into Italian the list. de la Constitution Unigenitus, by Lafitau (Cologne, Rome, 1757, 4to). See Dict. des Cardinaux; Moreri, Dict. Histor.