Andrea Lucchesi Palli

Andrea Lucchesi-Palli (16 April 1691 – 4 October 1768), was an Italian Catholic clergyman who served as the 76th Bishop of Agrigento; he was a member of the noble Sicilian Lucchese-Palli family.

Early life He was born on 16 April 1692 in Messina to Fabrizio Lucchesi-Palli, Duke of Adragna (1663–1707) and Anna Avarna. His brother, Giuseppe Lucchesi-Palli, became an Imperial General and Governor of Brussels.

Career

Having undertaken an ecclesiastical career, he was ordained a Priest on 1 November 1716. He was selected as Bishop of Agrigento on 22 May 1755, confirmed on 21 July 1755 by Pope Benedict XIV and ordained on 27 July 1755. In the first years of its life, the library enjoyed considerable prestige and prosperity, thanks above all to the considerable amount of books and objects donated by the bishop. In fact, for several years he had already possessed a vast collection of volumes (about 20,000 books on science, law, theology and literature), and rare ancient objects, such as gems, semiprecious stones, ancient Roman, Greek and Sicilian coins: all of which were made available to scholars for consultation. The bishop also donated furniture to the library, such as reading tables and fine bookcases, and had the regulations for the use of the Library, which was managed by a delegation of canons, engraved on marble.

Personal life

Lucchesi-Palli died in Agrigento on 4 October 1768 and was buried in the Cathedral of San Gerlando.