Antonio Magliabecchi

Antonio Magliabecchi was a famous librarian, scholar and librarian born in Florence in 1.633.

Son of Marco Magliabecchi, and Ginevra Baldorietta Bourgeois.

Although Magliabecchi was apprentice goldsmith and worked it until his fourteenth year, Michele Ermini, librarian of Cardinal de 'Medici, recognized his talent and taught him latin, greek and hebrew.

In 1.673 he became librarian of Cosimo III de 'Medici. Magliabecchi became the central figure in the literary life of Florence, and scholars from many countries wanted to meet and correspond with him.

Although its important position given enough recognition, is remembered more for their personal abilities, and their great ability to memorize all what he reads.

He has been described as a literary glutton, and more rational librarian maniac since read each and every one of the books that fell into their hands.

His personal library contained about 40,000 books and 10,000 manuscripts.

His house was literally overwhelmed by books, the stairs were full of them, and even reached the front porch.

Have been told many stories about his amazing memory, which was "like wax to receive and marble to save".

One of the best known of these stories says when asked Cosimo extremely rare book, he replied: "Sir, there is only one copy of that book in the world, is in the library of the Great Lord in Constantinople, and is the tenth first book of the second shelf to the right as you enter. "

In worldly matters, Magliabecchi was extremely confused. 

Even forgot to claim his salary for a year. 

He wore his clothes until he fell because he thought it was a waste of time to change clothes every night: "Life is so short, and there are so many books."

He welcomed all scholars who asked, provided they do not disturb you while working.

I had a special craze for the Jesuits.

One day a man told the Palazzo Riccardi and said: "Here came the new birth of learning", and then, turning to the college of the Jesuits: "there came to bury him."

It was a wild looking man, very careless with himself.

He refused to be expected, and rarely off his clothes to go to bed.

Your dinner is usually based on three boiled eggs and a little water.

Had a small peephole in his door, he could see all those who came to him, and if he did not want his company, the rejected.

It is said that never in his life he left Florence to go more than Pratz, where he accompanied the Cardinal Norris to see a manuscript.

He died at age 81 (in 1.714) in the monastery of Santa Maria Novella.

He donated his books to the Grand Duke to be used as a public library, and his fortune was donated to the poor.

In 1.861, King Victor Emmanuel joined his collection, known as private Magliabechiana the Grand Duchy, forming the National Library.