PICCOLOMINI, ALEXANDER, archbishop of Patras, and a native of Siena, where he was born about the year 1508, was of an illustrious and ancient family, which came originally from Rome, but afterwards settled at Siena. He composed with success for the theatre; but he was not more distinguished by his genius, than by the purity of his manners, and his regard to virtue. His charity was very great; and was chiefly exerted in relieving the necessities of men of letters. He has left behind him a number of works in Italian. The most remarkable of which are, 1. Various Dramatic Pieces, which laid the first foundation of his character as a writer. 2. A Treatise on the Sphere. 3. A Theory of the Planets. 4. A Translation of Aristotle's
Art of Rhetoric and Poetry, in 4to. 5. A System of English Morality, published at Venice, 1575, in 4to; translated into French by Peter de Larivey in 4to; and printed at Paris, 1581. These, with a variety of other works, prove his extensive knowledge in natural philosophy, mathematics, and theology. He was the first who made use of the Italian language in writing upon philosophical subjects. He died at Siena the 12th of March 1578, aged 70. A particular catalogue of his works may be seen in the Typographical Dictionary. There is one performance ascribed to this author, entitled Dialogo della bella Creanta delle Donne, (printed at Milan, 1558, and at Venice, 1574, in 8vo.); which but ill suits the dignity of a prelate. It is filled with maxims which have an evident tendency to hurt the morals of young women. Piccolomini's name, indeed, is not in the title page; and it has all the appearance of being a juvenile production. It is very scarce; and the public would sustain no loss by its being entirely out of print. It was translated into French by F. d'Amboise, and published at Lyons, in 1600, under the title of Instruction des jeunes dames. It was afterwards reprinted in 1583, under that of Dialogue & Devis des Demoiselles.