Stjepan Gradić
| Stjepan Gradić | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | March 6, 1613 Dubrovnik, Republic of Ragusa |
| Died | May 2, 1683 (aged 70) Rome |
| Occupation | philosopher |
| Nationality | Ragusan |
Stjepan "Stijepo" Gradić or Stefano Gradi (Latin: Stephanus Gradius; March 6, 1613 – May 2, 1683) was a philosopher, scientist and a patrician of the Republic of Ragusa.
Stijepo's parents were Miho Gradi (Gradić) and Marija Benessa (Beneša). He was born in Dubrovnik, Republic of Ragusa, where he was first schooled. He moved to Rome by the order of his uncle, a vicar general of Dubrovnik, Petar Benessa. In Rome and in Bologna he studied philosophy, theology, law and mathematics. His mathematics professor in Rome was Bonaventura Cavalieri and in Bologna his mathematics professor was Benedetto Castelli. He became a priest in 1643, the year he returned home and soon became abbot of the Benedictine abbey of St. Cosmas and Damian on the island of Pašman, canon of cathedral choir in Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik deputy Archbishop. After a private trip to Rome he remained there until his death as the official diplomatic representative of the Dubrovnik Republic to the Holy See. Since 1682 he was the head of the Vatican Library.
Gradić was a polymath. He cooperated with the historian Joannes Lucius in defending the honor and reputation of their native country of unjust attacks of some Italian and French writers, translated classical authors, wrote a biography of the Dubrovnik writer Junije Palmotić and a poem about the earthquake in Dubrovnik. In the literary and scientific circle of pope Alexander VII and Queen Christina of Sweden Gradić discussed scientific and philosophical issues.
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