Cosimo De Giorgi


Cosimo De Giorgi or Arcangelo Cosimo De Giorgi was an Italian scientist.

Biography

Early life and education

Cosimo De Giorgi completed his early studies in Martano, his home town, and then continue them in Lecce at the Real Collegio of the Jesus. After completing his school studies he moved, with a daring journey, in Pisa, where he attend the University of Pisa medical school, following the family tradition. There, on 14 June 1864, he graduated in medicine. Then, he attend the Higher Institute of Florence in 1865 to specialize in medicine and surgery in the next year.
Meanwhile, in the intention to continue their studies abroad, he had learned English, French and German. But the prospect faded early due to a family tragedy: in 1867 his father died for cholera. De Giorgi was forced to return to Lizzanello. Therefore, taken the medical profession and settled in Lecce with his mother and two brothers.

Activity

Throughout his life he mixed the medical profession with the teaching profession, teaching at the School Tecnico-Normale of Lecce. He also taught at the Educatorio Femminile. He later carried out intensive research and study in the fields of paleontology, archeology, geography, hydrography, meteorology, geology, seismology, agriculture and hygiene.
He is credited with drawing the first geological map of Lecce province.
In 1874, he established the Lecce Meteorological Observatory.

Awards and honors

In 1880 he was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy
In 1898, at the suggestion of Father Francesco Denza, he was appointed member of the Pontifical Academy of the New Lynxes.
He was awarded a silver medal by the Italian Geographical Society.
He was vice president of the Italian Meteoric Association.
There is a school in Lecce, Liceo Scientifico C. De Giorgi, named in his honor.
The municipality of Lizzanello has dedicated the Middle School and the way in which he was born.

Publications

Cosimo De Giorgi published many works connected to his researches and studies. These publications are conserved in the Fondo de Giorgi at Biblioteca Provinciale N. Bernardini of Lecce.
A bibliography of Cosimo De Giorgi's collection is:
  • Antonio Caiuli, Bibliografia di Cosimo De Giorgi, Congedo Editore, Galatina, 2002.
Some of his works are recently published:La Provincia di Lecce – Bozzetti di viaggio. Editore Giuseppe Spacciante, Lecce, 1882, Viaggio nel Cilento. Giuseppe Galzerano Editore. 1995 Cilento - Geologia, Idrografia. Giuseppe Galzerano Editore, 2003
Cosimo De Giorgi's correspondence:
  • Ennio De Simone, Epistolario di Cosimo De Giorgi: regesti|, Galatina, EdiPan, 2003,.
  • Ennio De Simone, Carteggi di Cosimo De Giorgi: regesti e lettere scelte, Galatina, EdiPan, 2007,.
Additional works:Tracce d'antichità preistoriche nella Messapia. Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 1882, 8, pp. 194–200.Un monumento arcaico ed una stazione con selcin megalitiche in Basilicata. Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 1880, 6, pp. 77–79Un gruppo di dolmen fra Calimera e Melendugno in Terra d'Otranto. Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana, 1911, 37, pp. 6–16I monumenti megalitici in Terra d'Otranto. Napoli, 1879I menhirs in Terra d'Otranto. Roma, 1880Monumenti del XV e XVI secolo nel Cilento. Roma, 1881Ricerche sul clima di Lecce. Lecce, 1982Antichità preistoriche della Messapia. Reggio Emilia, 1882Una carta topografica delle paludi e della malaria forte e debole in Terra d'Otranto. Lecce, 1884Note statistiche sul clima di Lecce. Lecce, 1885Note sull'idrografia della provincia di Lecce. Lecce, 1886Nuovi studi e ricerche sul clima della penisola salentina. Lecce, 1887La meteorologia e le sue applicazioni. Lecce, 1888L'Osservatorio di Lecce: sua storia. Lecce, 1888Note e ricerche sui materiali edilizi adoperati nella provincia di Lecce.Bari, 1901Cenni autobiografici. Lecce, 1914