Giovanni Aldini

Giovanni Aldini
Portrait of Giovanni Aldini, 1829
Born	(1762-04-10)10 April 1762 Bologna, Papal States
Died	17 January 1834(1834-01-17) (aged 71)
Alma mater	University of Bologna

Giovanni Aldini (10 April 1762 – 17 January 1834)^[1] was an Italian physician^[2] and physicist born in Bologna. He was a brother of the statesman Count Antonio Aldini (1756–1826). He graduated in physics at University of Bologna in 1782.^[3]

He became professor of experimental physics at University of Bologna in 1798, in succession to his uncle Luigi Galvani (1737–1798).^[4] His scientific work was chiefly concerned with galvanism, anatomy and its medical applications, with the construction and illumination of lighthouses, and with experiments for preserving human life and material objects from destruction by fire. He wrote in French and English in addition to his native Italian, and in Latin, still used in the 18th century by the scientific community. In recognition of his merits, the emperor of Austria made him a Knight of the Iron Crown and a councillor of state at Milan, where he died. He bequeathed a considerable sum to found a school of natural science for artisans at Bologna.^[1]