Quotes:Bianchini, Francesco Giuseppe

Zirkoff, Boris

Bianchini, Francesco Giuseppe. Italian historian, astronomer and antiquary, b. at Verona, Dec. 13, 1662; d. at Rome, March 2, 1729. Studied mathematics, physics and astronomy, and in later years theology. Advanced to deaconship, 1669. Became, 1684, custodian of the library of his protector, Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, later Pope Alexander VIII. Received many honours and commissions of trust from succeeding Popes. Elected head of a society for the study of historical antiquities, 1703, and served on the Committee for reform of the calendar. The Univ, of Oxford furnished his expenses during sojourn in England. Benedict XIII appointed him historiographer of the Synod held at the Lateran, 1725. Works: A Solution of the Paschal Problem, Rome, 1703.—Istoria Universale, Rome, 1697, only one vol. of which appeared.—De Calendario et Cyclo Caesaris, Rome, 1703.—Hesperi et Phosphori nova Phaenomena, Rome, 1729, in which he stated that Venus rotated in 24-and-a-third days.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 10, p. 413