Francesco Redi (1626–1697): Tuscan Philosopher, Physician and Poet

Abstract

From 1660 to 1697 Francesco Redi was physician to two Grand Dukes of Tuscany as well as a natural philosopher and poet at the Medici court. Redi produced the first experimental evidence that insects do not spontaneously generate from decaying matter and that the poison of the viper resides in the yellow fluid in fang sheaths. He was also a pioneer parasitologist. His bacchanalian poem in praise of Tuscan wines is still read in Italy today.