ALDROVANDI, ULISSE

(1522-1605)

Italian physician and naturalist, known for his travels throughout Europe in pursuit of scientific knowledge and for his publications in that field. He established a botanical garden in 1568 inBologna, where he received his medical degree and later became professor of botany and natural history. His publications in natural history are primarily collections of information, some of it traditional and even mythical but a large part of it based on his personal observations. Subjects covered by his publications included birds, insects, fish, and quadrupeds.