ERCOLANI, LUIGI. - Cardinal, born at Foligno on 17 Oct. 1758 into a noble family of Senigallia, died at Rome on 10 Dec. 1825.
After completing his studies at the Collegio Nazareno and the Accademia dei nobili ecclesiastici, he remained a secular, more devoted to works of piety than to worldly matters. An expert in economic matters, he was appointed in 1800 a member of the government commission and minister of Finance, acquiring particular merit for the prudence and ability with which he handled delicate affairs in the interest of the treasury of the States of the Church. Without ever having been in the prelature, he was appointed by Pius VII domestic prelate and treasurer general of the Apostolic Chamber.
The same Pontiff, in the Consistory of 8 March 1816, created him cardinal reserving him in pectore and publishing his appointment on 22 July of the same year. In the meantime he had had himself ordained a priest. In 1818 he was appointed commendatory abbot and ordinary of the abbey of S. Maria di Farfa and of S. Salvatore Maggiore; « he was a provident benefactor of the abbey, both by restoring the church » donating precious vessels and sacred furnishings, and by improving the lands of the parishes. He also caused the Seminary of S. Salvatore to flourish again, maintaining eleven youths there. He restored in Rome the church of S. Salvatore in Campo, subject to the jurisdiction of the abbot of Farfa, and was extremely charitable toward the poor.