Editing Angelo Secchi (section)

==Biography==
Secchi was born in [[Reggio Emilia]], where he studied at the Jesuit [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]]. At the age of 16, he entered the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit Order]] in Rome. 
He continued his studies at the Roman College, and demonstrated great scientific ability.  In 1839, he was appointed tutor of mathematics and [[physics]] at the college. In 1841, he became professor of physics at the Jesuit College in [[Loreto (AN)|Loreto]]. In 1844, he began [[theology|theological]] studies in Rome, and was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] a priest on 12 September 1847. In 1848, due to the [[Roman Republic (19th century)|Roman Revolution]], the Jesuits were ordered to leave Rome. Secchi spent the next two years in the [[United Kingdom]] at [[Stonyhurst College]], where he met [[Alfred Weld]], the Jesuit astronomer in charge of the Stonyhurst Observatory, who may have inspired him to take up the science. He moved on to the [[United States]], where he taught for a time at [[Georgetown University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] He also took his doctoral examination in theology there. {{sfn|Pohle|1912}}

During his stay in America, he met Commander [[Matthew Fontaine Maury]], the first director of the [[United States Naval Observatory]] in Washington. He studied with Maury and corresponded with him for many years.{{sfn|Pohle|1912}}

He returned to Rome in 1850. On the recommendation of his late colleague [[Francesco de Vico]], he became head of the observatory of the college at age 32. In 1853, under his direction, the crumbling observatory was relocated to a new facility on top of the [[Sant'Ignazio Church, Rome|Sant'Ignazio Church]] (the chapel of the college).{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} Secchi served as director until his death.<ref name="Voelkel">{{cite journal|last1=Voelkel|first1=James R.|title=Saw the Light: The early days of spectroscopy|journal=Distillations|year=2016|volume=2|issue=1|pages=24–25}}</ref>

Secchi was elected to the [[American Philosophical Society]] in 1860.<ref>{{Cite web |title=APS Member History |url=https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?creator=Angelo+Sechhi |access-date=2021-01-14 |website=search.amphilsoc.org}}</ref>

His director position was challenged after 1870, when the remnant of the [[Papal States]] around Rome [[capture of Rome|was taken over]] by the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]]. In 1873, the college was declared property of the Italian government.  When the government moved to take over the observatory as well, Secchi protested vigorously, and threatened to leave the observatory for one of several positions offered to him by foreign observatories. He was offered important scientific positions and political dignities by the government, but refused to pledge allegiance to the Kingdom in place of the Pope. The royal government did not dare to interfere with him, and he continued as director.{{sfn|Pohle|1912}}

He died in 1878 at age 59, in Rome.