The life of Cardinal Mezzofanti / With an introductory memoir of eminent linguists, ancient and modern

The biography chronicles the life and linguistic attainments of a renowned cardinal polyglot, assessing his familiarity with many tongues through careful testimony gathered by the author from native speakers and former pupils. It pairs a personal narrative with an extensive introductory memoir surveying eminent linguists from antiquity to the modern era, arranged by region and scholarly school. The text reproduces facsimile samples, reports extensive correspondence-based evidence, and offers critical commentary on extravagant claims about miraculous language gifts. Throughout, the author prioritizes specific, witness-based evaluation over rumor and places the subject within broader developments in the study of languages.