ERCOLANI, Luigi. — Cardinal, born in Foligno on 17 Oct. 1758 into a noble family from Senigallia, died in Rome on 10 Dec. 1825.
Having completed his studies at the Collegio Nazareno and the Accademia dei nobili ecclesiastici, he remained a secular priest, more devoted to works of piety than to worldly matters. Skilled in economic matters, in 1800 he was appointed a member of the University of Genoa and of the Ministry of Finance, earning particular merit for the prudence and ability with which he handled delicate affairs in the interest of the treasury of the Papal States. Though never having held a prelature, he was appointed by Pius VII as a domestic prelate and general treasurer of the Apostolic Chamber.