PANIZZI, pa-netts., Sir ANTONIO ( 1797 1879). Principal librarian of the British Mu seum from 1856 to 1866. He was born September 16, 1797, at Breseello, in the Duchy of Modena. Ile studied at the University of Parma, gradu ating in the faculty of law in 1S1S. He practiced in his birthplace. In 1823, despite favors from the Duke of Modena. he became involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the Modenese Govern ment, and was arrested, but he escaped to Eng land. Under the patronage of William Rn.eoe, the historian, he taught Italian at Liverpool. In 1828 Lord Brougham got him the Italian profes sorship at University College, London. and in 1831 the post of assistant librarian in the Brit ish Museum. In 1337 Panizzi was made keeper of the printed books, and in 1856 lie succeeded Sir Henry Ellis (q.v.) as principal librarian. He resigned in 1866. He was made K. C. B. in 1869. Panizzi died at his London home near the Museum, April S. 1879.
Panizzi was a man of immense energy and capacity. A friend of the leading statesmen of the time, in England, France, and Italy, he con tinued to wield political influence down to his death. Panizzi really made over the British
Museum. Under his direction the library was removed from Montague House to its present quarters. He designed the famous reading-room and its annexes, perhaps his most brilliant con ception. He framed the catalogue rules. He obtained for the library the princely bequest of Thomas Grenville, consisting of more than 20.000 rare volumes, valued at £54,000. In 1843 he drew up an elaborate report of the deficiencies in the library, which led two years later to an annual grant from the Government of il0.000 for the purchase of books. This fund, still con tinued, has helped to make the library the richest in the world. Panizzi wrote for the magazines, and edited Boiardo's Orlando innamorato, Ari osto's Orlando furioso (1830-34), and Lord Ver non", reprint of the first four edition. of The Divine Comedy (1858). Consult Louis Fagatn, Life of Panizzi (London. IW)•