Johann Jakob d’Annone

Johann Jakob d'Annone (12 July 1728 – 18 September 1804) was a Swiss educator, scientist and lawyer. He graduated in philosophy and law from the University of Basel in 1752. After initial appointments teaching Roman law, numismatics and natural sciences (especially mineralogy) (1759–60), he was named professor of eloquence in 1766 and professor of law in 1779. D'Annone served as rector of the University of Basel in 1782–83 and 1794–95, and was elected cean of the faculty of law on eight occasions. From 1774 he acted as legal adviser to the City of Basel. He was an authority on antiquities and Roman artefacts. He also assembled important collections of fossils, minerals and coins, and founded a library of some 10,000 volumes.