TORRICELLI

From Agepedia

TORRICELLI, Evangelista, an illustrious mathematician and philosopher, born at Faenza, in Italy, in 1608, was instructed in Greek and Latin by his uncle, a monk, probably with a view to his obtaining preferment in the church; but his genius induced him to devote himself to the study of mathematics, which he did for some time without a master ; but at the age of twenty, he went to Rome, and prosecuted his studies under father Benedict Castelli. Torricelli, thus assisted, made great improvement, and, having read Galilei's Dialogues, composed a treatise concerning Motion, according to his principles. Castelli, astonished at the ability displayed in this piece, took it to Galilei at Florence, who conceived a high opinion of the author, and engaged him as his amanuensis. He entered on this office in October, 1641; but, Galilei dying three months after, Torricelli was about to return to Rome, when the grand duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand II, engaged him to continue at Florence, giving him the title of ducal mathematician, and the promise of a professorship in the university, on the first vacancy. Here he applied himself closely to study, and made many improvements and some discoveries in mathematics, physics, and astronomy. He improved the construction of microscopes and telescopes, and first ascertained the gravity of the air, by means of mercury in a glass tube, whence resulted the barometer. (See Barometer.) He was cut off prematurely, after a few days' illness, in 1647. He published, in 1644, a volume entitled Opera Geomdrica; and his academical lectures were printed in 1715. TORRICELLIAN VACUUM, and TORRI