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Melchiore Cesarotti (1730–1808)
Cesarotti, Melchiore (chā-sär-ōt’tē). A distinguished Italian poet and scholar; born in Padua, May 15, 1730; died at Solvaggiano, Nov. 3, 1808. His translation of ‘Ossian’ (1763) was hailed as a work of genius. ‘A Course of Greek Literature’ remains incomplete; but an ‘Essay on the Philosophy of Language Applied to the Italian Tongue’ (1785), and on analogous theses, are perfect specimens of criticism; and his poetry, though now falling into secondary rank, is tasteful and ornate.