SERPIERI, ALESSANDRO. – A Pious Schools scientist, born at S. Giovanni di Marignano, near Rimini, on 31 Oct. 1825, died in the College of the Badia Fiesolana on 22 Feb. 1885.
An astronomer, physicist and seismologist, he taught experimental physics at the University of Urbino, rising to fame as a distinguished master in astronomy and meteorology, physics and seismology. He studied particularly shooting stars and the zodiacal light. The severe earthquakes in Italy in 1873 and 1875 found in him a mind both apt and prepared to draw important conclusions from them. Notable are his books on the new doctrines of electric potential, soon translated into several languages. The name of Serpieri, one of the greatest physicists of the last century, quickly surpassed the narrow confines of the small university. When the Pious Schools were driven out of Urbino, he retired to the College of the Badia Fiesolana.