Fortunato Felice
Encyclopedia
Count Panzutti
Count Panzutti is an 18th century Italian hereditary title, famously held by Fortunato and Guillaume de Félice.The title was passed by decree by the Contessa di Panzutti who held it "suo jure" as instructed in the 1st Count's will to Fortunato Felice in 1756, and has continued being inherited in...
, also known as Fortuné-Barthélemy de Félice and Francesco Placido Bartolomeo De Felice, was an Italian nobleman, a famed author, scientist, and said to have been one of the most important publishers of the 18th century.
Biography
Forunato Felice was born in Rome to a NeapolitanNaples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
family as the eldest of six children on August 24, 1723. He was confirmed in 1733 in the parish of St. Celso e Giuliano. He studied at Rome and Naples under the Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, taught by Fortunato da Brescia
Fortunato of Brescia
Fortunato of Brescia was an Italian Minorite of the Reform of Lombardy and anatomist.-Life:He was born at Brescia, and received the religious habit in 1718. A philosopher and theologian, Fortunato was also renowned for his studies in the natural sciences. He was secretary general of his order, and...
. On May 28, 1746 he was ordained by papal dispensation. Through his studies at the monastery of San Francesco in Ripa, he discovered a love of Physics, becoming friends with Celestino Galiani. Later Galiani appointed de Felice chair of Ancient and Modern Geography as well as the chair of experimental physics and mathematics at Naples University. There he became friends with the Prince Raimondo di Sangro
Raimondo di Sangro
Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero was an Italian nobleman, inventor, soldier, writer and scientist, best remembered for his reconstruction of the Chapel of Sansevero in Naples.-Early life:...
who aided him in his translation of the physicist John Arbuthnot
John Arbuthnot
John Arbuthnot, often known simply as Dr. Arbuthnot, , was a physician, satirist and polymath in London...
's works from Latin.
After rescuing the imprisoned Countess Panzutti
Count Panzutti
Count Panzutti is an 18th century Italian hereditary title, famously held by Fortunato and Guillaume de Félice.The title was passed by decree by the Contessa di Panzutti who held it "suo jure" as instructed in the 1st Count's will to Fortunato Felice in 1756, and has continued being inherited in...
, Felice fled to Bern, became a Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, and established a famous press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
at Yverdon in 1762.
Portrait
An 18th century depiction of de Felice is held by the Achenbach Foundation in the San Francisco Museum of Fine ArtsFine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, comprising the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public arts institution in the city of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in California.-External...
. A Latin and 18th century French inscription by one of his sons, Carolus de Felice reads:
Original Translation Fortunatus de Felice
Roma 24 Augusti 1723. Natus: ibidem, deinceps.
Neapoli Phil. Phys. exp. et Mathem. quondam
Professor: Mundi, hominisque legum sedulus Inda-
gator, et felix qua Voce, qua Scriptus Interpres
Encyclopediae Ebrodunensis Contaborator et EditorFortunato de Felice
Born: Rome, August 24, 1723
Naples – Philosophy, Physics and Maths
Professor – World, a zealous investigator
by this love of speech wrote
the Yverdon Encyclopaedia editor and contributorCet Auteur, distingué par un profond Génie,
Dans le sein de l'Erreur trouva la Vérite;
Et sachant la montrer dans l'Encyclopédie,
S'est fait un titre sür à l'Immortalité.
Offerebat Obseq. et Devot. Filius
Carolus de FeliceThis author, distinguished by a profound genius,
In the bosom of wandering found truth
And searching that in the encyclopedia
Immortalised himself
Offered dutifully by his devoted son, Carolus de Felice