Paulina Oszajca

Born in Bologna, educated at Bologna and Padua universities, Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522–1605), is generally known as a naturalist and biologist, the author a great work: Natural History, in which he aimed to contain his entire knowledge of nature. Aldrovandi was a man of very receptive mind, thoroughly educated and thus he was appointed to various offices throughout his life. He was the Head of the Chair of Natural Sciences at the Bologna University. He contributed to the opening of the municipal botanical garden of which he was the director for many years. While holding the office of Protomedicus, he compiled the first Bologna’s pharmacopoeia which is still binding in the city. He spent most of his free time and funds on travelling and collecting materials for his Natural History. His steadily growing collection of books, manuscripts, drawings and natural exhibits was displayed in his own house and was available to visitors. In his last will, Aldrovandi bequeathed his natural collection and library to the Senate of Bologna which transferred the collection to the Municipal Palace. The surviving exhibits and prints are now kept at the Palazzo Poggi and the University Library in Bologna.
 

The article is a continuation of the subject connected with the work of Ulissess Aldrovandi focusing on Polish scholars’ contribution to enrich his collection. Some specimens and prints he could not find personally, he received thanks to his friendship and correspondence with fellow scientists, former students and travellers interested in his work and in visiting his museum. Thanks to his Polish contacts, Aldrovandi could also extend his collection by specimens from Poland. The Professor of the Kraków Academy, Marcin Fox, who met the naturalist during his studies in Bologna, was particularly instrumental in acquiring exhibits.
The exchange of letters and nature exhibits between the scientists continued from 1579 to 1588.