(Born: Trecastagne, near Catania, Italy, 2 April 1767; Died: Palermo, Italy, 12 February 1850)

Intended for a career with the church, Ferrara became interested in science after witnessing an eruption of Etna. Afterwards he focused his attention natural history, graduating from the University of Catania in 1786 with degrees in medicine and philosophy. He corresponded with Dolomieu and Spallanzani. After graduation Ferrara continued his theological studies and was ordained a priest in 1792. In 1802 he was appointed professor of physics at the University of Catania.

Biographical references: Poggendorff: 1, cols. 736 & 1564.

1. Italian, 1810.
I Campi Fiegrei della Sicilia e delle isole che le somo intorno o descrizione fisica e mineralogica di queste isole. Dell' Abate Francesco Ferra ... Messina, Della stamperia dell' Armata britannica, 1810.

2°: [6], xix, 424 p., one folding plate, folding maps.

Rare. The text provides a general description of the Island of Sicily, particularly the minerals and volcanoes of the region.

Bibliographical references: BL [444.e.12.].

Storia Naturale della Sicilia, 1813

2. Italian, 1813.
Storia Naturale | Della Sicilia | Che Comprende | La Mineralogia | Con Un Discorso | Sopra Lo Studio In Varj Tempi | Delle | Scienze Naturali In Quest' Isola | Dell' Ab. Francesco Ferrara | [...4 lines of titles and memberships....] | [rule] | [...4 lines of quotation...] | [rule] | Catania | Dalla Tipografia Dell' Universita' | Per Francesco Pastore | MDCCCXIII.

4°: π⁴ 1-7⁴ 8⁴ a-u⁴; 117l.; [8], [I]-LXIV, [2], 1-160 p. Page size: 225 x 172 mm.

Contents: [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [4 pgs], Dedication to Vincenzo Paterno' Castello, signed Francesco Ferrara, 13 October 1813.; [1 pg], "Tavola" [=contents].; [1 pg], Blank.; [I]-LXIV, "Discorso | Sopra Lo Studio In Varj Tempi Delle | Scienze Naturali In Sicilia."; [1 pg], Sectional title page, "Mineralogia di Sicilia."; [1 pg], Blank.; 1-160, Text.

Rare. This is one of many books dealing with the natural history of the island of Sicily. This particular title deals principally with the mineralogy of the island.

Bibliographical references: BL [1726.f.26.]. • LKG.

3. Italian, 1818.
Descrizione dell' Etna con la storia delle eruzioni e il catalogo dei prodotti dell' Abate Francesco Ferrara ... Palermo, Presso L. Dato, 1818.

2°: xvi, 256 p., 5 folding plates (including a map).

Very scarce. Describes an eruption of Mt. Etna.

Bibliographical references: BL [1255.d.30.]. • Ward & Carozzi, Geology Emerging, 1984: no. 802.

4. Italian, 1793.
Storia generale dell' Etna che comprende in descrizione di questa montagna: la storia delle sue eruzioni, e dei suoi fenomeni ... dall' Abate Francesco Ferrara. Catania: [F. Pastore], 1793.

8°: xliv, 359, [1] p., 4 folding plates, folding map.

Very scarce. First edition. Describes an eruption of Mt. Etna.

5. Italian, 1823.
Memoria sopra i tremuoti della Sicilia in marzo 1823, del Signor Abate Francesco Ferrara ... Palermo: Presso L. Dato, 1823.

4°: [8], 51 p., map.

Very scarce. First edition. Description of the effects of an earthquake that occured in Sicily in March, 1823.

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