Tommaso Campailla

Who was Tommaso Campailla?

Tommaso Campailla was an Italian philosopher and poet.

He was born in Modica in 1668 from an aristocratic family. When he was sixteen years old he moved to Catania to study law, but in a short time he came back to his native town where he preferred to study as an autodidact. He got married and had children and was elected senator seven times. In spite of his particular look, he was appreciated for his vast culture and his great sensibility.

In addition, he was a friend of the Arcadian poet Girolama Lorefice Grimaldi. Campailla was also a medical doctor, although as an autodidact. He fought syphilis rheumatism in a "modern" way, using the "guaiacum barrels" or "vapour stovens" that he had invented.

He died of apoplexy aged 72, on 7 February 1740.