ANTAMORO, PAOLO FRANCESCO. - Cardinal, b. in Rome on 15 Nov. 1712, d. there on 15 Dec. 1795. Of an ancient patrician family, he was the son of Tommaso Antamoro, who was vice-lieutenant of the Apostolic Camera, general administrator of the secretariat of the Monti, and rector of the Roman University from 1741 to 1745. In governing the Sapienza, Tommaso was assisted by his son who, admitted to the college of consistorial advocates, was appointed rector of the Archiginnasio in 1760. He held this office without interruption for twenty years, a case hitherto unique in the history of the Studium Urbis, and won the esteem of the lecturers and the affection of the students.
Appointed assessor of the Holy Office by Pius VI, he continued, at the Pope’s wish, to govern the Roman University, until in 1780 he was created cardinal of the title of SS. Bonifacio and Alessio on the Aventine and simultaneously elected bishop of Orvieto. Having reached his see, although already advanced in years, he devoted his energies to the diocese with youthful fervour. He expended almost all his resources on the restoration of the façade of the Cathedral, a work promoted with the assistance of Pius VI. He also had an artistic altar of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul erected.