or MAUROLYCUS, Francis, the greatest geometrician of his age, was born at Messina in September 1494. After he had completed the course of study requisite for entering the church, he resolved to devote the rest of his life to mathematics. His father is said to have been his only instructor in that science; yet in a short time Maurolyco was selected to teach geometry to the eldest son of the viceroy, John de Vega. At the court of that prince he formed a friendship with Cardinal Alexander Farnese, and the Marquis Geraci. The latter conferred upon him the rich abbey of Santa Maria del Porto, and employed him to teach mathematics in the college of Messina. Thither geometricians from all parts of Italy were wont to resort for the purpose of consulting Maurolyco. After the death of his patron Geraci, Maurolyco retired to the country. He died in July 1575. His principal works are—

An edition of the Sphæries of Theodosius, folio, 1558; Martyrologium, 4to, 1566; Opuscula Mathematica, 4to, 1575; Arithmeticonum libri duo, 8vo, 1575; Euclidis Phænomena, 4to, 1591; Emendatio et Restitutio Conicorum Apollonii Pergei, folio, 1654; and Archimedis Monumenta Omnia, folio, 1685. (For an account of his services to mathematics, see Dissertation Fourth.)