Giambattista della Porta

Giambattista della Porta (1538-1615). Scholar and polymath who lived in Naples, Italy. A child prodigy, Della Porta was educated at home where scientific discussions occurred. The wealth acquired from the ownership of several estates ensured that he could devote his life to his studies. His most famous work first published in 1558 entitled Natural Magic was expanded into 20 books in 1584 and translated from Latin into several European languages.

Works

Natural Magic 1558 expanded to 20 books 1589. English translation 1658

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De furtivis Literarum Notis (1563) On secret codes and Cryptography

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Villa (1583-92) An agricultural encyclopaedia

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De humana physiognomia (1586) On Physiognomy

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De refractione optices (1589) On Optics

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De aeris transmutanionbus (1609) On Meteorology

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De distillatione (1610) Della Porta's chemical experiments and observations.

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