Biographies > Patrons
Federico Cesi
(1585-1630)
The scion of a noble Roman family, Cesi displayed since his earliest youth a strong commitment
to the renovation of traditional culture, perhaps under the influence of Jan
van Heek (1577 - c. 1620). This led
him to found and promote the Accademia dei Lincei. He was particularly close to Galileo
(1564-1642), to whom he offered substantial support, particularly in the Pisan scientist's clash with ecclesiastical authorities.
Here, Cesi exploited his influential position in the
Roman nobility. He undertook valuable research in botany and natural history.
Also noteworthy is a work on the desirability of a radical reform of learning.
His sudden death led to the dissolution of the Accademia
and left Galileo alone against the superior forces of his adversaries. Cesi suggested the name "telescope" for the
instrument developed by Galileo. Later (1624), he approved the name
"microscope" suggested by Faber (1574-1629) for the occhialino ["little spectacle"] invented
by Galileo.