(1) 1. CORSINI, Neri Maria (1685-1770)

Birth. May 19, 1685, Florence. Nephew of Pope Clement XII. He is also listed as Nereo.

Education. (No information found).

Early life. Received the insignias of the clerical character, July 23, 1730, and was appointed secretary of Memorials and referendary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, protonotary apostolic and secretary of requests for books.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal and reserved in pectore in the consistory of August 14, 1730; published in the consistory of December 11, 1730; received the red hat and the deaconry of S. Adriano, January 8, 1731. Donated to the Holy See the library of the Agonal Palace, Rome, where his uncle lived before being elected to the papacy. Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, March 2, 1733. Opted for the deaconry of S. Eustachio, May 6, 1737. Participated in the conclave of 1740, which elected Pope Benedict XIV. Archpriest of the patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome. Secretary of the Supreme S.C. of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, February 26, 1753 until his death. Legate a latere for the opening of the Holy Door of the Jubilar Year at the patriarchal Lateran basilica, December 1, 1749; for its closing, December 7, 1750. Participated in the conclave of 1758, which elected Pope Clement XIII. Participated in the conclave of 1769, which elected Pope Clement XIV.

Death. December 6, 1770, at 11;30 p.m., in his Roman palace near Longara. Exposed in the basilica of Ss. XII Apostoli, and buried in the patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome.

Links. His portrait by Antonio David, Palazzo Corsini, Rome; another portrait, Palazzo Corsini, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome; his bust by René Michel Slodtz, Palazzo Corsini, Rome; another view of the same bust; portrait of Pope Clement XIII and Cardinal Neri Corsini, Palazzo Corsini, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome; and his sepulchral monument, Corsini Chapel, patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome.

©1998-2009 Salvador Miranda.