Francis, a very learned Italian astronomer and philosopher, born at Verona in 1662, of a noble and ancient family. His taste for natural philosophy and mathematics induced him to establish the academy of Aleotti, at Verona. He went to Rome in 1684, and was made librarian to Cardinal Ottoboni, afterwards Pope Alexander VIII. He also became canon of St Maria de la Rotonda, and at length of St Lorenzo in Damaso. He was the author of numerous works, and died in 1729.