User:Peter Mercator/Draft for Antonio Cagnoli

Antonio Cagnoli

1743-1816

for books see amazon and http://www.tower.com/

Trigonometria Piana E Sferica

Paperback: 602 pages Publisher: Nabu Press (13 May 2012) Language: Italian ISBN-10: 1286637538 ISBN-13: 978-1286637531

Memoir on a New and Certain Method of Ascertaining the Figure of the Earth by Means of Occultations of the Fixed Stars

Paperback: 58 pages Publisher: Hardpress Publishing (1 Aug 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1290514550 ISBN-13: 978-1290514552

some mentions in Heavenly Mathematics: The Forgotten Art of Spherical Trigonometry

By Glen Van Brummelen

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0BCCz8Sx5wkC

also Publisher: Nabu Press (9 July 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1173053352 ISBN-13: 978-1173053352

Catalogue de 501 Etoiles: Suivi Des Tables Relatives D'Aberration Et de Nutation

Paperback: 302 pages Publisher: Nabu Press (25 Sep 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 124668084X ISBN-13: 978-1246680843

Notizie Astronomiche... [Italian] [Paperback]

Paperback Publisher: Nabu Press (28 Jan 2012) Language: Italian ISBN-10: 1273584678 ISBN-13: 978-1273584671

Notizie astronomiche adattate all' uso commune de Antonio Cagnoli

Paperback Publisher: Book on Demand (1 Jan 1799) Language: Italian ASIN: B007OFS2Z4

TrigonomEtrie rectiligne et sphErique (E is acute e)

M. (Antonio), 1743-1816, translated from Italian to French by ChomprE, N. M. (Nicolas Maurice), 1750-1825

CAGNOLI, Antonio. Traité de trigonométrie rectiligne et sphérique, contenant des méthodes et des formules nouvelles, avec des applications à la plupart des problêmes de l'astronomie. Traduite de l'Italien par M. Chompré.

Paperback Publisher: Book on Demand (1 Jan 1808) Language: English ASIN: B0068J4LXY

The Universal Dictionary of Biography and Mythology

By Joseph Thomas

b Zante 1743 Attached to venetian embassy in paris. 1786 to verona where he had observatory 1798 prof of maths at modena 1800 on president italian society 1786 treatise on trig 1801 conic sections

Labux(??) viti di A C 1816 Carlini : Notiziesulla vita di a c 1819 Ersch and Gruber Allgemeine Encyclopaedia

from http://www.arnoldandson.com/home/history/stories-of-the-legend.aspx

The wars spared neither civilians nor buildings, both public and private. In Verona, a beautiful house was severely damaged during Napoleon's campaign. It belonged to Antoine Cagnoli.

Antoine Cagnoli was a remarkable character. An extremely gifted scholar, he initially seemed destined for a diplomatic career. However, in 1780, when passing through Paris at the age of 37, he visited the Observatory and discovered Saturn's rings, which amazed and fascinated him.

"This year, the most remarkable of my life, I have suddenly renounced my metaphysical and political studies for mathematics and astronomy."

He proceeded to study geometry, algebra, differential and integral arithmetic and finally astronomy, thanks to the renowned Parisian astronomer Jérôme De La Lande.

He subsequently set up a fully equipped observatory at his home in Verona. He became president of the Italian Astronomy Society and published numerous works, including a treatise on elementary astronomy that was destined to popularize the discipline among his fellow citizens. Until, that is, the fateful day in 1797, when Bonaparte's cannons demolished the tools of his trade.

Although he did not really expect a response, his friend De La Lande sent a letter to Bonaparte in person, explaining the facts. To his great surprise, the general answered him:

"I gave the requisite orders as soon as I received your letter, and will take all the measures necessary to ensure that the Society of Verona is compensated for the damage done to its property and establishment, and that this is remedied forthwith. If the famous astronomer Cagnoli or any of his esteemed colleagues have been offended by the woeful events that have occurred in this city, I shall make the necessary amends. I assure you that I shall take every opportunity to redress these actions in a manner favourable to you, in order to convince you of my estimation and of the high regard in which I hold you. Finally, I must thank you; your letter will perhaps permit me to remedy one of the evils of war, and to protect men as honourable as the scholars of Verona."

The general kept his promises: 10,000 francs were sent to the Society of Verona, Cagnoli was introduced at the Observatory of Milan, his instruments were replaced and he was appointed professor in Modena. In the words of De La Lande:

"General Bonaparte did not stop at this; he wished to donate a clock to the Observatory of Milan which was more sophisticated than the existing instruments. His aides wrote to London for one of Arnold's clocks, with pivots which rotated on rubies, anchor escapements encrusted with diamonds and a compensator made of iron and zinc: it cost 110 guineas, or 2,800 francs, and it is a veritable masterpiece; it was installed in 1802."

The beautiful astronomical clock given by Napoleon served the astronomers at Milan's Observatory for over 50 years. It was used until 1975.

Bibliography:

De La Lande, Jérôme,Bibliographie astronomique(Paris, 1803).