Carlo Gemmellaro (1787–1866) was an Italian

naturalist Natural history is a domain of inquiry involving organisms, including animals, fungi, and plants, in their natural environment, leaning more towards observational than experimental methods of study. A person who studies natural history is cal ...

and

geologist A geologist is a scientist who studies the structure, composition, and History of Earth, history of Earth. Geologists incorporate techniques from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and geography to perform research in the Field research, ...

. He was noted for his studies on the vulcanology of his native Sicily. His son Gaetano Giorgio Gemmellaro was a noted geologist, paleontologist and politician, who served as rector of the

University of Palermo The University of Palermo () is a public university, public research university in Palermo, Italy. It was founded in 1806, and is currently organized in 12 Faculties. History The University of Palermo was officially founded in 1806, although it ...

Biography

Carlo was born to a prominent family; his uncle had performed observations on the eruptions of

Mount Etna Mount Etna, or simply Etna ( or ; , or ; ; or ), is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina, Italy, Messina and Catania. It is located above the Conve ...

. Carlo studied medicine at the

University of Catania The University of Catania () is a university located in Catania, Sicily. Founded in 1434, it is the oldest university in Sicily, the 13th oldest in Italy, and the 29th oldest in the world. With over 38,000 enrolled students, it is the largest uni ...

, and began practicing as a physician in

Messina Messina ( , ; ; ; ) is a harbour city and the capital city, capital of the Italian Metropolitan City of Messina. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy, with a population of 216,918 inhabitants ...

. His brother, Giuseppe Gemmellaro, became a prominent physician in Catania. In 1812, he traveled to London where he first explored his interests in geology. He gained a position as a physician for the British navy, allowing him to travel through the Mediterranean from 1813-1817. In 1817, he returned to private practice of medicine in Catania, but continued his interests in geology, creating a museum of mineralogy and geology at his home. In 1824, he helped found the Gioenia Academy of Sciences of Catania. He was appointed professor of Geology and Mineralogy at the

in 1830.Elogio accademico del Prof. cav. Carlo Gemmellaro letto all' Accademia Gioenia
by Andrea Aradas (1869). The events of 1837, when an epidemic of cholera afflicted Catania, fomented rebellion in the town, Carlo went on to publicly criticize the response of the autocratic Bourbon monarchy. Now suspect in the eyes of the government, his ability to travel was restricted. With his actions and words during the revolutions of 1848 that convulsed the kingdom, Carlo further antagonized the central government, and only with the founding of the Kingdom of Italy, was he able to regain prestige and appointments. Two of his children fought with

Garibaldi Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi ( , ;In his native Ligurian language, he is known as (). In his particular Niçard dialect of Ligurian, he was known as () or (). 4 July 1807 – 2 June 1882) was an Italian general, revolutionary and republican. H ...

in Sicily and the Neapolitan mainland.

Works

volcanologist A volcanologist, or volcano scientist, is a geologist who focuses on understanding the formation and eruptive activity of volcanoes. Volcanologists frequently visit volcanoes, sometimes active ones, to observe and monitor volcanic eruptions, col ...

, he studied Etna in

Sicily Sicily (Italian language, Italian and ), officially the Sicilian Region (), is an island in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula in continental Europe and is one of the 20 regions of Italy, regions of Italy. With 4. ...

; his studies are summarized in the monograph ''Vulcanologia dell'Etna 1859-1860'' which is certainly the most mature product of the Gemmellaro research, synthesis of observations carried for decades and successful attempt of a modern volcanic theory. His last work, ''Un addio al maggior vulcano d'Europa'' ("A farewell to the greatest volcano in Europe") as well as a brief autobiography, is also an emotional farewell to the main object of his scientific studies.Due passi nel mistero, Ignazio Burgio
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References

Italian naturalists 1787 births 1866 deaths Academic staff of the University of Catania {{Italy-scientist-stub