Antonio, a scholar remarkable for his great memory, was born at Florence in 1633. Deprived of his father at the age of seven, he was apprenticed, after receiving a scanty education, to a goldsmith in his native city. Soon afterwards his thirst for reading began to appear, and with the aid of Ermini, librarian to the Cardinal de Medici, he speedily became an adept in Latin and Hebrew. Cultivated by the most unflagging application, his memory soon became noted for its strength and accuracy; and in course of time he was appointed librarian to Cosmo III., Grand Duke of Florence. In this congenial situation he became so absorbed in his studies as to neglect the ordinary comforts of life. A commodious apartment, which he occupied in virtue of his new office, was abandoned after a sojourn of four months. In his former dwelling, to which he retired, one chair served him for a seat during the day, and another for a bed during the night. His old threadbare cloak was also the coverlet of his couch. He died among his books in 1714, after bequeathing to the public his valuable library, now known by the title of Magliabechiana. (See Libraries.)