LAURA MARIA CATERINA

BASSI (1711-1778)  , an Italian lady eminently distinguished for her learning, was born at Bologna in 1711 . On account of her extraordinary attainments she received a doctor's degree, and was appointed professor in the philosophical college, where she delivered public lectures on experimental philosophy till the time of her death . She was elected member of many literary societies and carried on an extensive correspondence with the most eminent European men of letters . She was well acquainted with classical literature, as well as with that of France and Italy . In 1738 she married Giuseppe Verrati, a physician, and left several children . She died in 1778 . 1 Cantor Lectures on Musical Instruments, their Construction and Capabilities, by A . J . Hipkins, p . 15; Henri Lavoix, Histoire de l'instrumentation depuis le seizieme siecle jusqu'a nos jours (Paris, 1878), on p . 123 the date is given as 1777 .