Tommasi, Giuseppe Maria

Tommasi, Giuseppe Maria a learned Italian cardinal, and son of Julius Tommasi, duke of Palma, was, born at Alicata, Sicily, Sept. 14, 1649. He entered the society of the Theatines, and cardinal Albali, when he became pope, appointed in first qualificator of the Holy Office, then consultor of the Congregation of the Rites, and lastly cardinal (May 18,1712). This last honor he did not long enjoy, as his death occurred Jan. 1, 1713. In the Vatican and other libraries Tommasi discovered many manuscripts of importance in ecclesiastical history, and published, Codices Sacramentorum Nongentis Annis Vetustiores (1680, 4to), a collection of MSS. — Responsoria et Antiphonaria (1686). See. Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Géneralé, s.v.