BIANCHINI, Francesco, Italian antiquarian and astronomer: b. Verona, 13 Dec. 1662; d. Rome, 2 March 1729. He was intended for the clerical profession and to this end studied theology, junsprudence, languages, mathematics and botany in Padua. Afterward he repaired to Rome and applied himself to jurisprudence and continued the study of ex perimental physics, astronomy, etc., as well as of Greek, Hebrew and other languages. Pope Alexander VIII bestowed on Bianchini a rich benefice, with the appointment of tutor and librarian to his nephew, the Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. Pope Clement XI also patronized him and appointed him secretary to the com mission employed in the correction of the cal endar. Being on a tour through France, Hol land and England, he formed the idea of draw ing a meridian in Italy, from one sea to the other, in imitation of that which Cassini had drawn through France. He was occupied eight
years at big own expense in that work; but other employments withdrew his attention f rom it, and it remained unfinished. He concluded his career with two important works (1727) on the planet Venus, and on the sepulchre of Au gustus. He is the author of several memoirs and dissertations on antiquarian and astronom ical subjects, including (Istoria universale pro vata co' momenti, e figurata co' simboli degli antichi> (Rome 1697), and (Astronomicre et Geographicm Observationes Selectz) (edited by his nephew, Verona 1737). An edition of An astasius, (De Vitis Romanorum Pontificum' was begun by him and completed by his nephew, Guiseppe Bianchini (4 vols., Rome 1718-34). There is a monument to the memory of Fran cesco Bianchini in the cathedral of Verona.