Andrea Cesalpino (1524–1603): Philosopher, Botanist, and Pharmacist in Renaissance Tuscany

Monday, 24 Oct 2022 at 6:30 pm – Sun Room, Memorial Union

Historians often consider Andrea Cesalpino as the precursor of scientists like Galileo, William Harvey, Spinoza or Linnaeus. Yet today he remains mostly unknown, his impact localized to Renaissance Tuscany. Not only is this oversight an injustice to Cesalpino’s complex work on nature, and especially on plants, but it also disregards his approach to philosophy, nature, and medicine.

Fabrizio Baldassarri holds a Marie Skłodovska-Curie fellowship to conduct research on early modern natural philosophical studies of plants from Andrea Cesalpino to Marcello Malpighi, especially focusing on the intersections between natural philosophy, botany, and medicine.

Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.

Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.

Lecture Etiquette

  • Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
  • Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
  • Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
  • Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.