MURATORI, tHDOVICO ANTONIO, a celebrated antiquary and historian, was horn at Vignola, in the duchy of Modena, Oct. 21, 1672. From a very early period, his predilection for historical and literary,pursuits began to manifest itself; and, having entered into holy orders, without, however, accepting any ecclesiastical office, his life was devoted partly to the literature of his profession, but mainly to researches in history, both sacred and profane, especially the history of his native country. In his 22d year, he was appointed one of the librarians of the Ambrosian library at Milan, a post which has since received equal celebrity from a successor not unworthy of the fame of Murat, the illustrious Angelo Mai (q.v.). Here lie gave to the world his first publication, a collection of inedited Greek and Latin fragments, under the titles of Anecdola Grrea and Aneedota Latina. But his most import labors were reserved for the capital of his native duchy, whither, in 1700, lie was recalled by the duke of Modena, to take charge of thin celebrated P'Este library, and of the ducal archives; his only ecclesiastical preferment being that of provost of the church of St. Mary. at Pomposa. From the date of his return to Modena, Muratori began to devote himself more exclusively to Italian history, especially to the history of medieval Italy; and his labors in this department extended over the greater part of his life. It was not until the year 1723 that the first volume of his great collec tion, Rerum Ralicarum Scriptores, appeared, and the work proceeded at regular intervals for nearly 30 years, the last .of the 28 folio volumes which compose it bearing the date of 1751. This immense publication, which was produced by the joint contributions of the princes and higher nobility of Italy, embraces a range from the 51h to the 16th c., and contains all the chronicles of Italy during that vast period, illustrated with commentaries and critical notices. It was accompanied by a collection of dissertations illustrative of the religious, literary, social, political, military, and commercial relations of the several states of Italy during the period, in 6 vols. folio, 1738-1742, a work which, although far from being exempt from errors, is still regarded as a treasure-house of medieval antiquities. While engaged in these prodigious labors, Muratori carried on an active literary correspondence with the scholars of the various countries of Europe, and con tributed essays not unfrequently to the principal historical and literary academies, of most of which he was a member. He was the first, moreover, to undertake a general
history of Italy from the commencement of the vulgar era down to his own time. It is in 12 vols. 4to, and still retains its value as a book of reference, having been continued by Coppi down to the year 1819. In his capacity of archivist of the duke of Modena, he compiled, in 2 vols. folio, the Antiquities of the d'Este Family as well as a series of historical and polemical treatises on certain territorial questions in dispute between the house of Modena and the court of Rome. To the department of classical scholarship, Muratori's collection of Inscriptions (6 vols. folio, 1739-43), which, in this point of view, was a necacary supplement to the collection of Gruter and the other antiquaries who had.preceded him, is.still acknowledged as a most important contribu tion; and he has also left works of standard merit in the departments of jurisprudence, of literary criticism, of poetry, of biography, and even of the history of medical science. In the studies of his own profession, as well liturgical and historical, as dogmatical and even ascetical, Muratori, although lie did not follow the method of the schools, was hardly less distinguished thou he had made these the pursuit of his life. Some of his opinions were regarded with disfavor, if not directly condemned; but his vindication of himself, addressed to the learned pope Benedict X1V., drew forth a W111111 and honorable testimony to the uprightness of his motives, which, without approving of the opinions to which exception had been taken, declared them free from the imputation of being contrary either to the doctrine or to the discipline of the church. Although Muratori's life was essentially that of a scholar, yet his exactness in discharging the duties of it parish priest was beyond all praise, and several of the existing charitable institutions of Pomposa were founded by him. He died at :Modena, Jan. 28,1750, in his 78th year. His works, which it would be tedious to enumerate in full detail, till 46 vols. in folio, 34 in 4to, 13 in 8vo, and ninny more in 12mo. Sonie of these are posthumous, and were published by his nephew, G. F. Muratori, from whom we also have a life of his distin guished uncle, in 4to, printed at Omer, 1758.