Facciolati, Jacopo
A famous Italian lexicographer and stylist, born at Toriggia in 1682. He studied at Padua,
and in the university of that city was made Professor of Logic and Regent of the Schools,
continuing this connection for fortyfive years. After putting forth several new editions of
existing books, such as the
Thesaurus Ciceronianus of Nizolius, and the
polyglot vocabulary in seven languages of Calepino, he began his magnificent work, the
Totius Latinitatis Lexicon, the first volume of which appeared at Padua in
1771. Of this splendid production it has been said that the whole body of Latinity, if lost,
might be restored from this great lexicon. It is, in fact, the source of all the Latin
lexicons now in use, and is an imperishable monument to the learning, industry, and judgment
of its chief author. In its preparation, Facciolati was ably assisted by his pupil, Egidio
Forcellini (q.v.), who had also aided in the
Calepine vocabulary, and to whom is said to be due the suggestion of the new lexicon itself.
The fourth and last volume appeared in 1771, after the death of both the editors. Subsequent
editions are the English one in two vols.
(London, 1826), and that of De Vit
(1858-87). Facciolati was a writer of extremely elegant Latin, and a number of
his letters have been published. His reputation in his own lifetime was very great, so that he
received most flattering offers from the other universities of Europe, all of which he
declined. He died at Padua in 1769. His life has been written by Ferrari
(1799)
and Gennari
(1818). See the article
Lexicon.
