Pietro Moscati

Moscati 1771

Born in Milan in 1739 Moscati Pietro was the son of a distinguished surgeon who, early on, inspired in him a taste for art.

He passed classical studies with distinction at the Jesuit college of St. Alexander, and then went on to study medicine at the University of Pavia. After qualifying as a doctor, he attended the Universities of Padua, Bologna and Pisa, where he was taught by famous men such as Bertrandi, Molinelli and Nanoni.

Back in Milan, he was appointed chief surgeon at St. Catherine's Hospice, for women in childbirth and children, then was given the role of the surgeon general hospital. His presence in this establishment was notable for two big improvements. In his first role, he established a birthing school, and in the second he started a surgical clinic school.

After being appointed professor at the University of Pavia, he became a close colleague of Volta and Bellani.

When the French invaded Italy, Moscati did not conceal his partisan alignments. As a member of Congress cisalpin, he was charged in February 1797.

Former board member of the National Congress, Moscati entered, in 1798, the Executive Board of the Cisalpine Republic, of which he soon became president. The French Government then naturally became suspicious. They felt he wanted liberty and Moscati was suspected of wanting to establish the independence of his country. He obliged, therefore, to leave public affairs, and to resign in the hands of the general, Marshal Brune.

When the Austro-Russians regained Lombardy, Moscati was arrested and taken with many of his fellow citizens to the fortress of Cattaro.