MASTROFINI, MARCO. - Polymath, b. at Monte Compatri (Rome) on 25 April 1768, d. at Rome on 3 March 1845. He taught literature, philosophy, and mathematics at the College of Frascati and at the Collegio Romano. His literary output is chiefly philological; but he also wrote on theology, astronomy, and law.
Among his works may be mentioned: Metaphysica sublimior de Deo Trino et Uno (Rome 1816), in which an attempt is made at a rational demonstration of the Trinitarian Mystery, with the promise, in the introduction, of another volume to demonstrate a prioribus the existence of God and explain the Eucharistic mystery (the volume, however, did not appear, perhaps because of the lively controversies aroused by the first); L'anima umana e i suoi stati (2 vols., ibid. 1842). Better known are his Sulle usure libri tre (ibid. 1831), reprinted several times: M. maintains the lawfulness of lending at interest, even in the absence of a legitimizing extrinsic title.