Editing Francesco Algarotti (section)

==Early life==
Algarotti was born in [[Venice]] as the son of a rich merchant. His father and uncle were art collectors. Unlike his older brother, Bonomo he did not step into the company, but decided to become an author. Francesco obtained a classical education; also studied [[natural sciences]] and mathematics in [[Sapienza University of Rome|Rome]]. While the experimental physics and medicine at [[University of Bologna]]<ref>[https://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/itineraries/biography/FrancescoAlgarotti.html Francesco Algarotti]</ref> under [[Francesco Maria Zanotti]] and in 1728, he experimented with [[optics]]. (Zanotti became a lifelong friend.) He was educated in his native Venice and in Rome and Bologna. His youthful curiosity led him to travel extensively, and he visited Paris for the first time in his early 20s. There his urbanity, his brilliant conversation, his good looks, and his versatile intelligence promptly made an impression on such intellectuals as Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis and [[Voltaire]]. Two years later, he was in London, where he was made a fellow of the [[Royal Society]]. He became embroiled in a lively bisexual love-triangle with the politician [[John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey|John Hervey]], and [[Lady Mary Wortley Montagu]].<ref>Rictor Norton, "John, Lord Hervey: The Third Sex", The Great Queens of History. Updated 8 August 2009 [http://rictornorton.co.uk/hervey.htm]</ref> Algarotti left for Italy and finished his ''Neutonianismo per le dame'' ("Newtonism for Ladies") (1737 – dedicated to [[Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle]]) – a work consisting of information on astronomy, physics, mathematics, women and science and education.