Machine translation of the 1948–1954 Italian original. The original text is authoritative.
RICCA, MASSIMILIANO. - Piarist scientist, born at Novara on Nov. 2, 1761, died at Siena on Jan. 14, 1831.
(phot. Almaris) RICCARDI, FAMIGLIA - Cortile di Palazzo R., di Michelozzo Michelozzi - Firenze.1835. He taught first in Florence and then at the Ducal College of Correggio, where he held the chair of philosophy and mathematics that made him famous throughout the Duchy of Modena. In 1789 he was transferred to the Tolomei College of Siena.
During his residence there of over forty years, he taught philosophy, physics, mathematics, and later also introduced the study of mineralogy, geology, and paleontology; from 1803 he was also professor of mathematics and experimental physics at the University. He particularly cultivated the geological and paleontological sciences and maintained relations with many Italian and foreign scientists. To his fame as a scientist (although he left no printed scientific works) he joined in a high degree the spirit of an apostle in his priestly mission.
BIBL.: T. Pendola, Elogio funebre del p. R. M. delle Scuole Pie, Siena 1835; G. Antinori, Biografie degli italiani illustri, IV, Venezia 1836, pp. 108-10; A. Checcucci, Commentario della vita ed opere di Pompilio Pozzetti, con vari elogi d'insigni scolopi, Firenze 1838, pp. 283-93; L. Picanyol, Lo scolopio M. R. e il suo elogio sul grande navigatore Alessandro Malaspina, Roma 1935. Leodegario Picanyol
Cite this article
“RICCA, MASSIMILIANO.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. X (1953), p. 501. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/ricca-massimiliano.
