Amici, Giovan Battista

Giovan Battista Amici (Modena, March 23rd 1786 – Florence, April 10th 1868) took his degree in Engineering and Architecture at the University of Bologna in 1807, aged 21, and immediately started teaching at a highschool in his native Modena. In 1831 he was asked to direct the Astronomical Observatory La Specola of Florence, where he remained until 1859, when he started directing Microscopy Research at the Royal Museum of Physics and Natural History.

He was a renown and brilliant maker of optical instruments, especially microscopes. His work with peculiar catadioptric and immersion microscopes greatly contributed to the prevailing of compound microscopes over single lens ones. He manufactured concave mirrors and astronomical lenses, invented new micrometres to fine tune accuracy in astronomical measuring and a new type of distance measuring telescope.

He used his own technical findings to make important observations in the fields of astronomy and botany. He studied plant anatomy, physiology, histology and pathology, as well as leaf morphology and animal biology. His splendid models illustrating the results of his researches are on display in many a Natural History Museum.