Giovanni Marsili

Giovanni Mariti (Florence, 4 November 1736 – Florence, 13 September 1806) was an Italian scientist, historian, and traveler. His father was Marcantonio di Luigi, a chancellor, and his mother was Alessandra Moriani. Mariti lost of his father at an early age and so was raised by his stepfather, Calvani, a merchant from Volterra, who moved the family to the port city of Livorno. Livorno was a bustling, international port and it was here that Mariti first developed an interest in the study of natural science. This environment also facilitated his acquisition of English and French languages through interactions with foreigners, particularly those from Britain. The continuous flow of merchants and diplomats from various European nations and the Levant through Livorno port exposed Mariti to a multitude of languages and cultures. This will have broadened his perspective and provided a foundation for his later extensive travels and interactions with scholars across Europe. The multilingual atmosphere and the exposure to diverse goods and peoples present in a major port city undoubtedly stimulated his intellectual curiosity and prepared him for a life of exploration and inquiry.