Francesco Algarotti, an Italian scholar, born in Venice, Dec. 11, 1712, died in Leghorn, March 3, 1764. After studying in Rome and Bologna, he visited France and England, and in Paris wrote " Newtonianism for Ladies" (Neutonianismo per le dame, 1734). He then went to Russia with Lord Baltimore, and published an account of the country, and in Germany became acquainted with Frederick, then crown prince of Prussia, one of whose first arts on coming to the throne was to invite Algarotti to his court. Henceforth the Italian lived in close intercourse with the king. He was created a count, appointed chamberlain, employed occasionally in diplomatic affairs, and commissioned by the elector of Saxony to collect works of art for the Dresden gallery.