TAMAGNA, GIUSEPPE. - Philosopher and theologian of the Conventual Friars Minor, b. in Rome in 1747, d. there on 15 March 1798. Ordained priest in 1772, he was professor at the Seminary of Montefinazione (1773–78), then of dogmatic theology in Rome, at the University of the Sapienza (from 1778), where he was highly esteemed.
Among his works the following should be noted: Institutiones logicae et metaphysicae (2 vols., Rome 1778–79), a complete course in philosophy, used as a textbook in all the schools of the Order; Physica generalis (ibid. 1780); De divinitate religionis christianae (ibid. 1879); Origine e prerogative dei cardinali (2 vols., ibid. 1790). He refuted the works of M. Vecker (on morality and religion), of Robaud (on religious indifference), and of Abbé Nicola Spedalieri (Lettere sull'opera dei diritti dell'uomo (essays in C. Cinibaldi, L'anti-Spedalieri, Turin 1909, pp. 163–95)). He also wrote various pamphlets under the pseudonym Giuseppe Dottor Sigrandi. He likewise cultivated the physical and mathematical sciences and held a degree in medicine.