RAZZI, SERAFINO. - Dominican historian, born at Marradi di Mugello on 13 Dec. 1531, died at Firenze on 8 Aug. 1611. He entered religious life at Firenze in the convent of S. Marco (28 June 1549), and studied at Perugia and Firenze. He taught in various cities (1560–74), was prior in several convents (1574–82), and regent of studies at Perugia from 1582 to 1587, during which time he was sent to Dalmazia (1587) as vicar general to restore regular observance in the convents of that Dominican Congregation. On returning to Italy, he held other offices.
He was above all an elegant hagiographer; he wrote: Lives of the saints, blessed, and venerable of the Holy Order of Preachers (Firenze 1577, 2nd ed., with the addition of other Lives, ibid. 1588, Lucca 1596, Palermo 1605; French trans. Parigi 1616); Life of the blessed Osanna da Cattaro (Firenze 1592); Life of the servant of God Caterina de' Ricci (Lucca 1594); Life of the glorious confessor St. Zacinto (Firenze 1596); History of the illustrious men of the Holy Order of Preachers (ibid. 1596). He also left in manuscript sermons, works of philosophy, theology, and Sacred Scripture, various lives of saints, the history of the monastery of S. Vincenzo at Prato, and the life of Girolamo Savonarola.