Antonio Caccianino (Milan, 18 July 1764 – 20 February 1838)
Born into a noble milanese family, he took the course in engineering at the palatine schools of Brera, specializing in hydraulic engineering. In 1796 he was appointed hydraulic architect of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Upon arrival of the French in Milan he became a member of the Municipality. He held important posts at the War Ministry, as chief of the subdivision of engineers and artillery during the First Cisalpine Republic, then as central inspector during the Bianchi d’Adda Ministry, and finally as chief of the 2nd division from 31 October 1800 to May 1801. He had a brief spell as general director of the engineering corps, from 10 July 1801, then was appointed director of the Modena school on 14 September 1801, a position he held until 1814. His only promotion was to brigade chief on 9 October 1800, while on 1 May 1806 he was created knight of the iron Crown. He did not seek promotions: «An officer of the utmost integrity, exemplary conduct and lifestyle … though his talent and knowledge would entitle him to serve in all branches of the engineers, he does not aspire to any higher rank and wishes to continue in his present employment, or suitable similar civilian role which he only abandoned on joining the army through force of circumstances at the time, while hoping to quit it later on under more favourable ones». As a matter of fact, in May 1814 he refused promotion to general and retired. He was a friend to Beccaria, Parini, Volta and Vincenzo Monti, as well as Bianchi d’Adda and Motta. His most important contribution, connected to the Ruffini theorem, was presented in 1810 to the Institute of Bologna and in 1812 to the Royal Institute of Science, Literature and Arts of Milan, who made him an honorary member, while since 1808 he had been a member of the Italian Academy of Science, Literature and Arts of Livorno. Other publications were: Caccianino, Antonio. 1821. Compendio della teoria delle mine. Milan; Id. 1825. Esposizione di un principio puramente geometrico del calcolo differenziale. Milan: Vincenzo Ferrario; and Id. 1833. Meditazioni sul calcolo differenziale. Milan: Vincenzo Ferrario (cf. MSA WO 1434, 2020, OR 92. Piancastelli, autografi XIX, folder 31. Vacani, Camillo. 1841. Biografia del colonnello Caccianino, Milan: coi tipi di G. B. Bianchi di G.o. http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/antonio-caccianino_%28Dizionario-Biografico%29/)