Giuseppe Maria Buondelmonti

Giuseppe Maria Buondelmonti (13 September 1713 - 7 February 1757) was an Italian poet, orator and philosopher.

Biography Buondelmonti was born into a noble family, and was raised highly educated. He attended the University of Pisa, but was unable to graduate due to health issues. During this time he did write poetry, literary critiques, entries for an encyclopedia that was being put together, and a number of funeral orations. While in his 20s he joined the Freemasons, a decision which would have exposed him to serious danger, but he had the protection of his noble family's political connections to protect him. He was also involved in the church, where he was granted the rank Knight Commander of the Order of Malta. This degree admitted him into the clerical hierarchy, where he could be called "Fra Giuseppe Maria" and would attend mass every day.

In 1751, Buondelmonti was elected to the Accademia della Crusca. Over the next 5 years he wrote a number of works on philosophy, specifically the principles of natural law. Sickly throughout its life, Buondelmonti died on 7 February 1757 in Pisa. He was buried in the church of San Michele in Borgo, where there is an inscription in his memory.