Vincenzio Martinelli (1702-1785) was a Tuscan from Montecatini with a degree in civil and canon law from the University of Pisa. Once he moved to Medici Florence, he took up with the English nobility and became a Freemason. It was later, while living at Naples' Bourbon Court, that Martinelli wrote Istoria Critica Della Vita. The volume consists of 18 essays on various aspects of civil society, including education (including the education of women), marriage, poverty, liberal arts, reading, science, the theatre, and law. Italian text.