Mantegazza, Paolo

Paolo Mantegazza (Monza, October 31st 1831 – San Terenzo, Lerici August 28th 1910) was an eclectic scholar, who was interested in medicine, anthropology, politics and more. He was one of the main supporters and advocates of Darwinism in Italy. He was a member of the House and of the Senate of the Kingdom Parliament, a scientist and a writer.

He graduated in Medicine at Pavia University in 1854, and soon after left for Latin America, where he lived for several years, making natural, botanical, linguistic, medical, ethnographic and anthropological observations. This was the first of numerous trips that led him to travel all over the world throughout his life.

Upon his return to Italy, he was given the chair of General pathology; he founded a small experimental Pathology Cabinet in the Botanical Gardens building, attended by Giulio Bizzozero and future Nobel prize winner Camillo Golgi.

He then moved to Florence, where he held the chair of Anthropology (first in Italy) and founded the Anthropology and Ethnology National Museum.

His scientific and literary production was massive: he was an incredible communicator, capable of divulging difficult medical concepts clearly and effectively. In his physiology series, dedicated to many topics (Love physiology, Hate physiology, Pain physiology, Pleasure physiology) he dealt with all issues, even the most risqué.

He published books that were extremely popular and translated in many languages: romance novels and lifestyle books filled with work, personal hygiene, house maintenance and nutrition advice.