The Correspondence between Felice Giordano and Quintino Sella. First Part (Summer 1847 - Spring 1859)

Abstract

In this study 81 letters sent by Felice Giordano (1825-1892) to his friend Quintino Sella (1827-1884) between summer 1847 and spring 1859 are transcribed and annotated. Giordano and Sella had both graduated in hydraulic engineering (1847) at the University of Turin and later specialized at the École des Mines in Paris and European mines and modern metallurgical industries. Back to Turin, Giordano was applicated to the Royal Corps of Mines and sent to Cagliari (1852) as a regent of the Sardinian Mining District. The first letters refer to the period they spent together in France and the other ones to the seven years of intense activity given by Giordano in Sardinia, carefully visiting mines and mineral deposits, as well as operating with the need to attract foreign capital and avoid easy speculations. Interesting aspects emerge about the personal relationships between Giordano and Sella, their scientific collaboration and the history and perspectives of mining in Sardinia.