Luigi Galvani
Italian scientist (1737–1798)
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Key Takeaways
- Luigi Galvani ( gal- VAH -nee , US also gahl- , Italian: [luˈiːdʒi ɡalˈvaːni] ; Latin: Aloysius Galvanus ; 9 September 1737 – 4 December 1798) was an Italian physician, physicist, biologist and philosopher who studied animal electricity.
- This was an early study of bioelectricity, following experiments by John Walsh and Hugh Williamson.
- A portion of his childhood home still stands in the Giardino Salvatore Pincherle.
- He published his first work, a paper on the anatomy and physiology of bones, in 1762, when he was 25 years old.
- In 1766, Galvani was appointed curator of the anatomical museum by the senate of Bologna.
Luigi Galvani ( gal-VAH-nee, US also gahl-, Italian: [luˈiːdʒi ɡalˈvaːni]; Latin: Aloysius Galvanus; 9 September 1737 – 4 December 1798) was an Italian physician, physicist, biologist and philosopher who studied animal electricity. In 1780, using a frog, he discovered that the muscles of dead frogs' legs twitched when struck by an electrical spark. This was an early study of bioelectricity, following experiments by John Walsh and Hugh Williamson.
Early life and career
Luigi Galvani was born to goldsmith Domenico Galvani and Barbara Caterina Foschi, in Bologna, then part of the Papal States. A portion of his childhood home still stands in the Giardino Salvatore Pincherle.
In 1759, Galvani graduated with a degree in medicine and philosophy and began to practice medicine at nearby hospitals. He published his first work, a paper on the anatomy and physiology of bones, in 1762, when he was 25 years old. Galvani presented the work at the Archiginnasio di Bologna, which allowed him to start lecturing at the Academy of Sciences of the Institue of Bologna (now part of the University of Bologna) where he taught anatomy for most of his career.
In 1766, Galvani was appointed curator of the anatomical museum by the senate of Bologna. This position "required him to give lectures and demonstrations of anatomical operations before surgeons, painters and sculptors." In 1782, he was appointed Professor of Obstetric Arts, which he remained for the next 16 years.
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