| Fetchwikidata: | ALL |
| Birth Place: | Naples, Kingdom of Naples |
| Death Place: | Naples, Kingdom of Naples |
Pietro Napoli Signorelli (28 September 1731 – 1 April 1815) was an Italian scholar of classic literature, mainly drama, and historian.
He was born in Naples to a father who was a notary, and initially trained as a lawyer, including under Antonio Genovesi. But in 1765, he traveled to Madrid, Spain. In Spain, where he joined a circle of writers (tertulia literaria) interested in writing dramas. In Spain, he wrote two of his most successful works: "Critique and history of antique and modern theater" and "Events of the Culture of the Two Sicilies".
He returned to Naples where in 1784 he served as secretary of the local literary academy. However, his flirtations with antimonarchical enlightenment theory caused him legal tribulations. In 1798, he formed part of the legislative council of the short-lived Parthenopean Republic. With the Bourbon restoration, he went into exile in Milan, where he was named professor of dramatic arts for the Brera Academy. He then gained an appointment as professor of diplomacy and history at the University of Bologna. He returned to Naples in 1806, and died there in 1813.[1] [2]
Among his works are: