Giovanni Battista Brocchi
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Battista Brocchi (or Giambattista) (18 February 1772 – 25 September 1826) was an Italian naturalist
, mineralogist and geologist
.
He was born in Bassano del Grappa
, Italy
, and studied jurisprudence at the University of Padova, but his attention was turned to mineralogy
and botany
. In 1802 he was appointed professor of botany in the new lyceum of Brescia
; but he more especially devoted himself to geological researches in the adjacent districts. The fruits of these labors appeared in different publications, particularly in his Trattato mineralogico e chemico sulle miniere di ferro del dipartimento del Mella (1808) a treatise on the iron mines of Mella
. These researches procured him the office of inspector of mine
s in the recently established kingdom of Italy
, and enabled him to extend his investigations over a great part of the country.
In 1811 Brocchi produced a valuable essay entitled Memoria mineralogica sulla Voile di Fassa in Tirolo; but his most important work is the Conchiologia fossile subapennina con osservazioni geologiche sugli Apennini, e sul suolo adiacente (2 vols., Milan, 1814), containing accurate details of the structure of the Apennine
range, and an account of the fossils of the Italian Tertiary strata compared with existing species. These subjects were further illustrated by his geognostic map, and his Galalogo ragionato di una raccolta di rocce, disposto con ordine geografico, per servire al/a geognosia dell lie/ia (Milan, 1817). His work Dello stato fisico del suolo di Rome (1820), with its accompanying map, is likewise noteworthy. In it he corrected the erroneous views of Scipione Breislak
, who conceived that Rome occupies the site of a volcano
, to which he ascribed the volcanic materials that cover the seven hills
. Brocchi pointed out that these materials were derived either from Mont Albano, an extinct volcano, twelve miles from the city, or from Mont Cimini, still farther to the north.
Several papers by him, on mineralogical subjects, appeared in the Biblioteca Italiana from 1816 to 1823. In the latter year, Brocchi sailed for Egypt
, in order to explore the geology of that country and report on its mineral resources. Every facility was granted by Mehemet Ali, who in 1825 appointed him one of a commission to examine the territory of the recently conquered Kingdom of Sennar; but Brocchi, unfortunately for science, fell a victim to the climate, and died at Khartoum
.
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
, mineralogist and geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
.
He was born in Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is a city and comune in the province of Vicenza, region Veneto, in northern Italy. It bounds the communes of Cassola, Marostica, Solagna, Pove del Grappa, Romano d'Ezzelino, Campolongo sul Brenta, Conco, Rosà, Cartigliano and Nove...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and studied jurisprudence at the University of Padova, but his attention was turned to mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
and botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
. In 1802 he was appointed professor of botany in the new lyceum of Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
; but he more especially devoted himself to geological researches in the adjacent districts. The fruits of these labors appeared in different publications, particularly in his Trattato mineralogico e chemico sulle miniere di ferro del dipartimento del Mella (1808) a treatise on the iron mines of Mella
Mella
Mella can refer to:* Mella, a river in North Italy* Edoardo Arborio Mella , an Italian architect* Julio Antonio Mella, one of the founders of the "internationalized" Cuban Communist Party...
. These researches procured him the office of inspector of mine
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
s in the recently established kingdom of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and enabled him to extend his investigations over a great part of the country.
In 1811 Brocchi produced a valuable essay entitled Memoria mineralogica sulla Voile di Fassa in Tirolo; but his most important work is the Conchiologia fossile subapennina con osservazioni geologiche sugli Apennini, e sul suolo adiacente (2 vols., Milan, 1814), containing accurate details of the structure of the Apennine
Apennine
-Other places on Earth:*The Apennine or Italian peninsula*Apennins, a department of the first French Empire-Plants and animals:*The Apennine , a modern breed of domestic sheep.*Apennine Shrew, an insectivore endemic to Italy...
range, and an account of the fossils of the Italian Tertiary strata compared with existing species. These subjects were further illustrated by his geognostic map, and his Galalogo ragionato di una raccolta di rocce, disposto con ordine geografico, per servire al/a geognosia dell lie/ia (Milan, 1817). His work Dello stato fisico del suolo di Rome (1820), with its accompanying map, is likewise noteworthy. In it he corrected the erroneous views of Scipione Breislak
Scipione Breislak
Scipione Breislak , Italian geologist of German parentage, was born in Rome in 1748. He distinguished himself as professor of mathematical and mechanical philosophy in the college of Ragusa; but after residing there for several years he returned to his native city, where he became a professor in...
, who conceived that Rome occupies the site of a volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, to which he ascribed the volcanic materials that cover the seven hills
Seven hills of Rome
The Seven Hills of Rome east of the river Tiber form the geographical heart of Rome, within the walls of the ancient city.The seven hills are:* Aventine Hill * Caelian Hill...
. Brocchi pointed out that these materials were derived either from Mont Albano, an extinct volcano, twelve miles from the city, or from Mont Cimini, still farther to the north.
Several papers by him, on mineralogical subjects, appeared in the Biblioteca Italiana from 1816 to 1823. In the latter year, Brocchi sailed for Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, in order to explore the geology of that country and report on its mineral resources. Every facility was granted by Mehemet Ali, who in 1825 appointed him one of a commission to examine the territory of the recently conquered Kingdom of Sennar; but Brocchi, unfortunately for science, fell a victim to the climate, and died at Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
.