Aloysius Lilius
Aloysius Lilius (
Luigi Lilio or
Giglio,
circa 1510 –
1576) was an
Italian doctor,
philosopherand
chronologist.
Very little is known about his early life. It is known that he came from
Calabria, either from Cirò or Zirò. He studied medicine in
Naples, after which he served
Earl Carafa. He lectured in medicine at the University of Perugia from
1552.
He is primarily known as the creator of the
Gregorian Calendar after writing a manuscript titled
Compendiuem novae rationis restituendi kalendarium (Compendium of the New Plan for the Restitution of the Calendar). However, the reform to the calendar did not occur until after his death, when his brother Antonio presented the manuscript to
Pope Gregory XIII. The manuscript was then given to the reform commission, and was adopted in
1582, after some modification by
Christopher Clavius.
Lilius crater on the
Moon is named for him.
*
Catholic encyclopedia entry
