16 may 1718 9 January 1799 Maria Gaetana Agnesi was born in Milan on day 16 may 1718; his is a wealthy family, become wealthy thanks to riches derived from the local silk industry. The family is also extraordinarily large: Maria Gaetana is the first of 21 brothers and sisters.
The historical context
The historical context in which it is born and grows is that following the Treaty of Utrecht (which dates back to 1713) followed by the annexation of its region, Lombardy, to the Hapsburg Empire. The young Maria Gaetana Agnesi view from an early age brilliant talents in particular way to study. Pietro Agnesi, the father, to encourage talent and cultivate the intelligence of his daughter, decides to provide for his education, entrusting it to illustrious teachers and tutors.
The passion and talent for languages
Sarah proves to be a brilliant student much to receive the nickname of Oracle Settilingue: learns quickly and with great skill the Italian as well as French and German, Greek, Latin, Spanish and Hebrew. To obey his father in 1737 goes from difficult languages to studied philosophy and Mathematics: in Milan Meanwhile became one of the most prominent salons Agnesi House in town; from there they pass Italy's most important intellectuals but also from all parts of Europe.
Science and the first essays
Thanks to the various figures who meet, Maria Gaetana Agnesi approaches to Euclid's Elements, logic, metaphysics and physics. Always for the father's desire, becomes for her a habit to expose to the public home your own progress, exposing various philosophical thesis; These are published in 1738, in a collection entitled "Propositiones Philosophicae": the volume contains 191 thesis drawn from its public discussions, and disparate issues: logic, Botany, cosmology, ontology, mechanics and even pneumatology (the science of spirits). In many of these essays Maria Gaetana Agnesi expresses his conviction that women should be educated.
The religious vocation
Despite his success, at the age of twenty-one years, the young man asks his father for permission to become a nun; the elderly father however requires care and aid, so Maria Gaetana sacrifices his religious vocation despite getting not to take more part in the social life of his home and his city, and have the opportunity to attend church with the utmost freedom. Conquered this step, decide not to leave school that still thrill: he devoted himself so intensely to the study of algebra and geometry. At twenty-two (we are in 1740) Maria Gaetana Agnesi begins a period of study in collaboration with father Ramiro Rampinelli, Professor of physics and mathematics at Milan in the monastery of the olivetans of San Vittore and pioneer of analytical mathematics.
The international fame of Maria Gaetana Agnesi
With the help of father Rampinelli, Maria Agnesi studied the Reyneau Abbot, "text Analysis demonstrated" (1708) and writes a text analysis entitled "Analytical Institutions for youth" (1748); This work, dedicated to the Empress Maria Theresa, will have wide fame in Europe being translated into French in 1775 and in English in 1801. The professors of the Royal Academy of France praising his work as a highly advanced, the best ever appeared in the genre; Empress Maria Theresa of Austria sends them a diamond ring in a precious casket; Pope Benedict XIV sends blessings and precious gifts. The text is regarded and described as "the best introduction to the works of Euler." Even in the world of the theatre comes eco opera Maria Gaetana Agnesi's success, so much so that Carlo Goldoni dedicated a sonnet.
Teaching
In 1750 replaces his father in the teaching of mathematics at the University of Bologna; Benedict XIV allows then to be officially the Chair, but she refuses to indulge (after his father) to works of charity, to private practice and teaching of brothers, sisters and servants in the House.
Charitable works
In 1752, after the death of his father, he retired completely from public life to devote himself to caring for the poor, the sick and the study of Scripture. Maria Gaetana Agnesi House makes a retreat of the infirm and she herself becomes serva and nurse; Open a small hospital, goes to live with the sick and, to meet the expenses, after selling all his possessions caters to acquaintances, to authorities, to charitable institutions. Thanks to a donation of Prince Don Antonio Prencipe, Ptolemy in 1771 was established in Milan, the Pio Albergo Trivulzio, Cardinal Giuseppe Pozzobonelli invites Maria Gaetana Agnesi at the post of Provincial and Director of the women, especially noticable. In 1783 he moved to Pio Albergo, Director.
Theology
Meanwhile does not abandon his studies in religious matters, holds public lectures on the Catechism: without qualifications is now a theologian, so much so that the cardinal Pozzobonelli, to decide on the orthodoxy of an essay on politics and religion, it is about her that appeals. Those who turn to scientific opinions are to get Agnesi politely discouraged: the Academy of Turin, for example, asks her to examine the work of Lagrange around the calculus of variations and she withdraws, citing its serious occupations.
death
Continues to work on the Trivulzio for 26 years until his death, that captures the day 9 April 1799 at the age of 80 years. His summer residence in the city of Varedo is known as Villa Agnesi and is currently owned by the Curia. After years of neglect will be restored and will house a music school and a hospice for the elderly.