Riccardi, Niccolo

Riccardi, Niccolo, an Italian theologian, was born at Genoa in 1585. He studied in Spain, joined the Order of Dominicans, and in 1613 was chosen to occupy the chair of theology at Valladolid. He soon became noted as a preacher, and was called to court. Philip III, charmed with his eloquence, called him a prodigy; from this he was familiarly called Il Padre Mostro. In Rome his success was equally great; he was in favor with Urban VII, who made him professor in the college of Minerva in 1621, and in 1629 master of the palace. He died at Rome, May 30, 1639. As a preacher he was characterized by great passionateness, grandeur of imagery, and vigor of thought. His writings are, Ragionamenti sopra le Litanie di Nostra Signora (Rome, 1626, 2 vols. fol.).: — Historioe Concilii Tridentini Emaculatoe Synopsis (ibid. 1627, 16mo), and several minor treatises. He had also gathered materials for several important works, among them a Commentary on the whole Scriptures: — De Christiana Theologia, 3 vols.: Adversaria Sacra: — Antique Lectiones: — besides his Sermons. See Oldoino, Athenoeum Ligusticum; Erythrseus, Pinacotheca; Echard and Quetif, Bibl. Script. Ord. Proedicat. 2, 503; Tiraboschi, Storia della Letter. Ital. 8.