Accademia dei Lincei

The Accademia dei Lincei, also called the Lincean Academy, was a special group of scientists and thinkers in Italy. It started in Rome in 1603 by a man named Federico Cesi. They chose the name because of the lynx, an animal known for its very sharp vision. This showed how they wanted to see the world clearly through science.

One of the most famous members was Galileo Galilei, a great scientist who helped us understand how the planets move. He even used to sign his name as "Galileo Galilei Linceo" to show he was part of this group. Sadly, the original academy stopped working around 1651.

Many years later, in the 1800s, people started the group again. Today, there are two big groups that come from the old Accademia dei Lincei: the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the national academy of Italy. These groups keep studying science and learning new things, just like the first members did long ago.

First Accademia

The first Accademia dei Lincei was started in 1603 by Federico Cesi, a young aristocrat from Rome who loved studying nature, especially plants. Cesi began the academy with three friends when he was just 18 years old. They chose the name after the lynx, an animal known for its sharp vision, to show their wish to see and understand the world clearly through science.

One of the most famous members was Galileo Galilei, who joined in 1611. Galileo was so proud to be part of the academy that he used the name "Galileo Galilei Linceo" as his signature. The academy helped Galileo's work and shared some of his important ideas, like his thoughts about sunspots and ways to measure things carefully. The academy wanted to study all areas of natural science by watching and testing, encouraging members to explore the world around them.

Accademia re-foundation

In 1801, Abbot Feliciano Scarpellini and Gioacchino Pessuti, with help from Francesco Caetani, started the Accademia Caetani. Later, it was called the Accademia dei Lincei. This time, from 1801 to 1840, was known as the "Second Renaissance" of the academy. The academy had many difficulties and stopped working in the 1840s. Then, in 1847, Pope Pius IX started it again, naming it the Pontificia Accademia dei Nuovi Lincei, or the Pontifical Academy of New Lincei.

Reale Accademia dei Lincei

In 1874, Quintino Sella changed the academy to become the Accademia Nazionale Reale dei Lincei, also called the Royal National Lincean Academy. This new academy studied many subjects like history, philosophy, and economics. It became very well-respected, just like the original Lincean Academy.

Some famous members were Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Louis Pasteur, and Max Planck. The academy’s first female member was Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli, an archaeologist. Another important member was Celal Şengör, the first and only member from the Middle East.

Accademia d'Italia

see main article Royal Academy of Italy

During the Italian fascist time, the Lincean Academy was replaced by the new Accademia d'Italia, the Italian Academy. This change was finished by 1939. Later, in 1949, after the fascist leaders left, the Lincean Academy became independent again. This happened after a suggestion by Benedetto Croce. More details can be found in a book by Cagiano De Azevedo & Gerardi.

Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei

The Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei is a famous Italian science group with 540 members. These members are split into two main groups: one for subjects like math, physics, and natural sciences, and another for subjects like history, language, and social sciences.

In 2001, the natural sciences were organized into five areas, including math, astronomy, physics, geology, and biology. The moral sciences were also divided into seven areas, such as archaeology, history, philosophy, and social sciences.

Prizes

The Accademia dei Lincei gives out special prizes to honor smart researchers and scholars. Some important prizes they give are the Premio Presidente della Repubblica, the Feltrinelli Prize, and the Alfredo di Braccio Award for young Italian scientists studying physics and chemistry. They also have other prizes like the Premio del Ministro per i Beni e le Attività Culturali, Premio Linceo, and Premio Internazionale Cataldo Agostinelli e Angela Gili Agostinelli.