Nicola Spedalieri
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Giuseppe SaittaArcangelo SpedalieriPlacido De Luca


Giuseppe Saitta
,

(1768-1823), was a great teacher of knowledge, bishop, poet and appreciated compositor and musician.

Began the first studies in Bronte In The College founded, not long before, by the Capizzi and he continued them at Monreale where from 1817 taught literature and from 1822 covered the charge of director of the studies.

Was an orator, poet, theologian, philosopher and great expert of  Roman law and foreign literature (he was defined a prodigy of  knowledge).
He was above all a great teacher and brought, first to Monreale (at the epoch the Athens of Sicily ) and then in the Capizzi College (1832) a true renewal in the teaching and the culture.
In agreement with the thought of Nicola Spedalieri, was a partisan of democracy and always a supporter of the brontese rights against the Nelson Dukedom.

Since 1834 was named Bishop of Patti where died on June 20th, 1838.


In Bronte, in the church of the SS. Trinità (Mother church) a mausoleum dedicated to him was built in 800 ( it is in the left nave, adjacent to the secondary entry of  the church).

The bishop of Patti (Messina), Monsignor Giuseppe Saitta. in a drawing taken from the book of Gesualdo De Luca "History of the town of Bronte".

A big follower of his, the cardinal. Antonino Saverio De Luca, said about him: "of how many illustrious men I have known, nobody, I have met superior to the Saitta for intelligence height and for various and deep doctrine".




Arcangelo Spedalieri


Arcangelo Spedalieri
, (Bronte 1779 - Alcamo 1823), doctor in medicine and surgery, was a great physiologist and illustrious  anatomic.
Benedetto Radice defined him "The Sicilian Hippocras, honor and pride of the Bologna and Pavia academies".
Nephew of Nicola Spedalieri, begins his first studies at Bronte in the College founded by Capizzi to continue them at Palermo; graduated at Naples, continued his studies specializing at Pavia University.
At 29 years of age is already assistant to the clinic medic of Bologna University . 
After a brief stay in Bologna went back to the Pavia University where was professor of physiology and compared anatomy and where was also rector in the two year period 1819-1820.
In 1821, for health reason, moved to Sicily.
Died at 44 years at Alcamo, where had been called to cure a serious illness, and where was buried.
Arcangelo Spedalieri personified science united to love towards the sick fellow; was author of prestigious books of medicine and natural sciences.
Principal Works: "Memories on the analogy between the vegetal and the animal life", Milano 1802, "Memory of animal physics", Milano 1806; "Pathologic reflections  on the stomach' break", Pavia 1815.


The'" Sicilian Hippocras", the physiologist Arcangelo Spedalieri in an old drawing taken from the book by G. De Luca "History of the City of Bronte", and (on the left) from "Uomini illustri" of Agostino Attinà.




Placido De Luca


Placido De Luca (Uomini Illustri)Placido De Luca, (Bronte 28.9.1802 – Paris 1.11.1861), brother of cardinal Antonino Saverio, was a great economist.
Author of important books of  economic and statistic science was a true defender of the principle of work and industry freedom. Began his studies at Bronte in the Capizzi College.
In 1822, just twenty, went to Palermo; having graduated, four years later, started working as a lawyer, getting straight away a big reputation.
Defending the interests of the Council in one of the many lawsuits between the Dukedom and the citizens of Bronte, grieved of seeing the oppressed poor people, sent, using the  influence of his brother Antonino, even a memorial to the English Parliament.
His passion for the economic science  brought him in 1839 to Paris where was follower to Macarel and started an affectionate friendship with Sismondi, Dègèrando and with Pellegrino Rossi.
In 1842 was nominated professor of political economy  to Catania University and in 1845 to Naples University were taught till 1859.
There weren't, in that period, manuals of political economy  for the students and the De Luca, published his lessons on a  journal, "La Falce", founded by him and others in Palermo.
Had started very young (26 years) to write the first essays in economic matters  but his first organic work, destined to the students, was published in 1852: "Principi elementari della scienza economica" (Elementary principles  of economic science).
In 1858 published the work that became famous, more than any other, "La scienza delle finanze" (The public finance) and, few years after, "Principi elementari di statistica" (Elementary Principles of Statistics) and "Sul censimento della popolazione" (On the population census).

In 1860, first brontese parliamentarian, was nominated deputy in the college of Regalbuto to the first sub alpine Parliament  (with 334 votes over 455).
Was also a member of the Georgofili Academy of Firenze.

Died, in November 1861, at Paris where had gone to cure himself of an incurable illness, assisted by the brother, the Cardinal Antonino Saverio, come from Vienna where he was occupying the task of Nuncio.
Was buried in the Jory cemetery of Paris.
 

Placido De Luca loved music that played over several  instruments, and protected the young brontese painter Agostino Attinà (Bronte 1841 - 1893), making him study in the Academy of Belle Arts of Naples. The painter, for gratitude, portrayed the De Luca in various paintings.

The great brontese economist Placido De Luca. The Images are taken from the book the History of the City of Bronte" and (under)  from "Two Sicilian glories, the brothers  De Luca" of Benedetto Radice. 


Translated by Sam Di Bella

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