August 25, 2024 Conference paper Open Access

Antonio Stoppani: the founder of Italian geology on the bicentenary of his birth.

Pantaloni, Marco; Macini, Paolo; Console, Fabiana

Antonio Stoppani (1824-1891), since his young age, was captivated by nature, particularly rocks and minerals. Professor of Latin grammar at the seminary of Seveso (Milan, Italy), he soon resumed his interests in geology and natural sciences.

Stoppani curated a valuable palaeontological collection and published the first geological description of Lombardy. After the Italian Unification in 1861, he played a vital role in modernizing the Kingdom of Italy and resumed his teaching activity as Professor of Geology at Pavia University (1861) and then at the “Istituto Tecnico Superiore” of Milan. While his extensive body of work is commendable, Stoppani's most renowned publication is “Il Bel Paese” (Il Bel Paese: conversations on the natural beauty, geology, and physical geography of Italy, 1876).

He integrated his initial studies in religious philosophy, delving into the relationship between science and faith, which culminated in the publication of his seminal essay "Dogma and the Positive Sciences". His final work, “New essay of an exegesis of the history of creation according to reason and faith”, encapsulated the culmination of his lifelong research.

Stoppani’s legacy is not only defined by his groundbreaking contributions to Italy's geological and palaeontological knowledge but also by his civic perseverance and efforts towards constructing a modern society.