Muratori, Lodovico Antonio (1672–1750)

Italian scholar, antiquary, and historian. His three chief works are Rerum italicarum scriptores 1723–51, dealing with the sources of medieval Italian history; Antiquitates italicae medii aevi 1738–43, describing the constitution, customs, and thought of the Middle Ages; and Annali d'Italia 1744–49, first published in a complete edition 1753–56, a critical history of Italy from the birth of Christ to 1750.

Muratori was born in Vignola, near Modena. In 1694 he became director of the Ambrosian college and library in Milan, and while there published Anecdota Graeca and Anecdota Latina, previously unedited fragments. Recalled to Modena 1700, he became librarian and archivist to Duke Rinaldo I.