Antonio Stoppani

Antonio Stoppani (1824–1891) was an Italian geologist, palaeontologist, and Catholic priest. He is best known for his work in the field of geology and for his contributions to the understanding of the geological time scale.

Early Life and Education

Antonio Stoppani was born on August 24, 1824, in Lecco, Lombardy. He entered the seminary at an early age and was ordained a priest in 1848. He then studied at the University of Pavia, where he received a doctorate in theology in 1850.

Career

After his studies, Stoppani served as a professor of geology at the Brera Academy in Milan. He made significant contributions to the study of the Alps and proposed the term "Anthropozoic Era" to describe the new geological era dominated by human activity.

Stoppani's work in geology was not limited to the Alps. He also conducted extensive research on the geology of Italy, contributing to the understanding of the country's geological formation and history. His most famous work, "Il Bel Paese", is a popular science book about the geology of Italy.

Legacy

Stoppani's contributions to geology and palaeontology have had a lasting impact on the field. His work has been recognized by the International Union of Geological Sciences, which named a medal in his honor.

See Also

• Geology
• Palaeontology
• Anthropozoic Era

References

• Antonio Stoppani: A Life of Geology, Religion, and Politics by Marco Ciardi (2007)
• The Anthropozoic Era: A Geological Age of Humans by Antonio Stoppani (1873)