How to become a renowned writer: Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764) and the uses of networking in eighteenth-century Europe Cheryl Lynn Smeall Department of History McGill University, Montreal August 2010 A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy © Cheryl Lynn Smeall, 2010 Library and Archives Bibliothèque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l'édition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-77555-4 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-77555-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par télécommunication ou par l'Internet, prêter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans le loan, distrbute and sell theses monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, électronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Table of Contents Abstract vii Résumé ix Acknowledgements xi List of Figures xiv List of Abbreviations xv Introduction: Algarotti’s place in the history of eighteenth-century Europe 1 Historiography of Algarotti Why study Algarotti? Intellectual glory: what Algarotti wanted The importance of networks: the tactics Algarotti made use of in trying to achieve his goals Scholarly conditions in Italy Scholarly conditions in France Scholarly conditions in England Methodology Summary of chapters Conclusion 1 Networking starts at home: Algarotti’s Italian contacts and how he came to form them 54 Initial contacts Advertising intellectual talents: science Using science to meet others Forging contacts through written works Forging contacts through travel Intellectual and financial conditions in Italy: further motivations for travel Conclusion 2 Cultivating networks in cultural capitals: Algarotti’s travels in Paris and London, 1734-1736 102 The intellectual and cultural capital of the world: France in the eighteenth century Science in Paris in the eighteenth century How Algarotti’s reputation and connections helped him to penetrate Parisian scientific circles Other factors that enabled Algarotti to expand his Parisian networks: cosmopolitanism and poetry Invitations to Lapland and Cirey Algarotti at Cirey On to England London: the other intellectual capital of Europe The results of reputation and connections: membership to the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries Forming contacts in the English literary community The link between networking and romance: Algarotti, Hervey, and Wortley Montagu Publication problems Conclusion 3 International fame: Il Newtonianismo per le dame 146 Scientific popularizations Women Algarotti’s view of the intellectual capabilities of women Fontenelle Voltaire The Index of Forbidden Books The impact of the Newtonianismo on the spread of Newtonian ideas in Italy: Zanotti’s Della forza attrattiva delle idee Conclusion 4 From West to East: Algarotti’s pan-European search for opportunity 180 Success and scandal: The Newtonianismo in Italy French controversy, French fame: Le Newtonianisme pour les dames Attempts to translate fame into fortune: return to England The state of Russia in the eighteenth century Strangers in a strange land: western Europeans in Russia Algarotti in Anna’s St. Petersburg Failed attempts, fortuitous meetings: the trip back to England Conclusion 5 Calling all scholars: Algarotti’s first tenure at the court of Frederick II, 1740-1742 216 Initial impressions Intellectual flirtation Rheinsberg: the Cirey of Prussia New commitments Rivalry Disillusionment Separation: mission to Turin Things fall apart Conclusion 6 The art of networking and networking through art: Algarotti at the court of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, 1742-1747 254 “The Paris of Germany”: Dresden in the eighteenth century Enlarging networks and creating prospects Art collecting in eighteenth-century Venice Algarotti as art collector in Venice Demonstration of worth: the art collector and the art The worth of the art collector’s network: Algarotti’s use of intermediaries The Rossi affair In search of a title In search of new prospects Conclusion 7 The importance of networks: Algarotti’s second tenure at the court of Frederick II, 1747-1753 303 Initial disillusionment: the reasons why intellectuals had left Frederick’s court in the early 1740s Change in atmosphere and attitude: why Maupertuis and Voltaire decided to return Selling the new Frederick: wooing Algarotti back Keeping options open through the maintenance of networks: Algarotti’s intellectual pursuits Keeping Algarotti satisfied: his official duties at Frederick’s court The universal usefulness of networks: Algarotti’s associates seek to exploit their connection with him Some people never change, part one: Algarotti attempts to find a new position Some people never change, part two: the old Frederick resurfaces Old habits die hard: a poisonous atmosphere emerges Conclusion: there’s no place like home Conclusion: The effect of historical forces on Algarotti’s legacy 372 Appendices 391 Appendix 1: Figures Appendix 2: Cast of Characters Bibliography 405 vii Abstract Venetian polymath Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764) was an internationally-renowned intellectual in his time. In 1737, he published a wildly successful popularization of Newtonian science for women entitled Il Newtonianismo per le dame, or Newtonianism for the Ladies. The fame he acquired after its appearance continued to increase over the course of his career, with the result that he was invited to join the court of Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia, and subsequently that of Augustus III of Saxony-Poland. In addition his sojourns at their respective courts in Berlin and Dresden, Algarotti travelled to and lived in many other European cultural centres, including Venice, Bologna, Rome, Paris, London, and St. Petersburg. Over the course of his travels, he forged friendships with many of the leading thinkers of the period, including Eustachio Manfredi, Francesco Maria Zanotti, Laura Bassi, Voltaire, Emilie du Châtelet, Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis, Lord Hervey, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and Antioch Cantemir. These contacts, and the numerous others he would come to form, would prove to be indispensable in the pursuit of his intellectual and financial goals. Algarotti‘s ambition was to become an internationally renowned writer. In a century in which scholarship was becoming increasingly international, and the market for, and reach of, printed material was considerably widened, aspiring writers faced both increased opportunities for fame and greater competition in securing the financial support they needed in order to pursue their art. Algarotti‘s example illuminates both the structures viii behind these conditions, and the strategies that could be employed in order to negotiate them, in a pan-European context. As an examination of his activities reveals, the formation, expansion, and maintenance of one‘s networks was crucial to one‘s intellectual success in eighteenth-century Europe. ix Résumé Le penseur vénitien Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764) était un intellectuel de renommée internationale à son époque. En 1737, il a obtenu un franc succès en publiant un ouvrage de vulgarisation de la science newtonienne destiné à un public féminin, intitulé Il Newtonianismo per le dame, ou Le Newtonisme pour les dames. La notoriété qu‘Algarotti a acquise avec cette publication a continué d‘augmenter tout au long de sa carrière, et il fut conséquemment invité à joindre la cour de Frédéric II (Le Grand) de Prusse, puis celle d‘Auguste III de Saxe- Pologne. En plus de ses séjours aux cours respectives de Berlin et de Dresde, Algarotti a voyagé et vécu dans plusieurs autres centres culturels européens, y compris Venise, Bologne, Rome, Paris, Londres et Saint-Pétersbourg. Au cours de ses voyages, il a forgé des amitiés avec plusieurs des grands penseurs de son temps, parmi lesquels Eustachio Manfredi, Francesco Maria Zanotti, Laura Bassi, Voltaire, Émilie du Châtelet, Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis, Lord Hervey, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu et Antioch Cantemir. Ces relations, ainsi que de nombreuses autres qu‘il sera amené à développer, s‘avéreront