Giambattista della Porta

Giambattista della Porta
Giambattista della Porta
Born	late 1535 Vico Equense, Italy
Died	4 February 1615 Naples, Italy
Residence	Naples
Nationality	Italian
Fields	Occultism, astrology, alchemy, mathematics, meteorology, and natural philosophy

Giambattista della Porta (Italian pronunciation: [dʒambatˈtista ˌdelːa ˈpɔrta]) (1535? – 4 February 1615), also known as Giovanni Battista Della Porta was an Italian scholar, polymath and playwright who lived in Naples at the time of the Scientific Revolution and Reformation.

Giambattista della Porta spent the majority of his life on scientific endeavors. He benefited from an informal education of tutors and visits from renowned scholars. His most famous work, first published in 1558, was entitled Magiae Naturalis (Natural Magic). In this book he covered a variety of the subjects he had investigated, including the study of: occult philosophy, astrology, alchemy, mathematics, meteorology, and natural philosophy. He was also referred to as "professor of secrets".

Giambattista della Porta was born at Vico Equense, near Naples, to the nobleman Nardo Antonio della Porta. He was the third of four sons, second to survive childhood, having an older brother Gian Vincenzo and a younger brother Gian Ferrante. Della Porta had a privileged childhood including his education. His father had a thirst for learning, a trait he would pass onto all of his children. He surrounded himself with distinguished people and entertained the likes of philosophers, mathematicians, poets, and musicians. The atmosphere of the house resembled an academy for his sons. The members of the learned circle of friends stimulated the boys, tutoring and mentoring them, under strict guidance of their father. It is possible that his father's interest and influence in providing a well-rounded education helped to turn della Porta into the Renaissance man that he was to become.