Even from the first few days of the 18th century it is possible to grasp the importance of the events to take place that will characterize it.
From the war of the North between Sweden and Russia to the Spanish, Polish and Austrian wars of succession up to the French and Indian war, from the American and French revolutions across to the Seven Years War.
Great cultural turmoil, a gathering and spirit of innovation is breeding ground for fertile minds in all areas of human science; music, philosophy, essay writing, politics and naturally the entire scientific environment, create works of outstanding genius.
On this matter it is important that we should remember that it was this century that saw the invention of the lightning rod, steam powered machines, the spool loom, the piano, the hot-air balloon; Lavoisier and his laws on chemistry are from this age, as are Goldoni and his theatre reform and in addition to this there is also the discovery of Australia, the ruins of Pompeii and the planet Uranus.
There are many noteworthy characters who were contemporaries of Philip Mazzei’s, many of whom were his close friends:
Important heads of State, such as the first five Presidents of the United States:
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George Washington |
John Adams |
Thomas Jefferson |
James Madison |
James Monroe |
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Influential royals
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Stanislao Augusto Poniatowski |
Marie Antoinette |
Louis XVI |
Frederick
the Great |
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Illustrious scientists:
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Benjamin Franklin |
Alessandro Volta |
Luigi Galvani |
Mongolfier brothers |
Edward Jenner |
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Great writers, philosophers and poets:
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Cesare Beccaria |
Vittorio Alfieri |
Carlo Goldoni |
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Celebrated composers:
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Wolfang Amadeus Mozart |
Georg Friedrich Handel |
Franz Joseph Haydn |
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Important historical figures:
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Napoleone Bonaparte |
Lord Horatio Nelson |
Maximilien Robespierre |
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