Carlo Matteucci (2.06.1811-24.06.1868) was an Italian physicist and physiologist. He was born in Forlì. He graduated from the University of Bologna (1828). He continued his studies at the University of Paris. Until 1840 he carried out electrophysiological research at home and in a laboratory in Ravenna, and in 1840 he became professor at the University of Pisa. He was also active in politics and was a senator and minister of education. In 1862 he reorganised the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa into the first Italian institute of advanced studies.
His work concerned electrophysiology, electricity, heat and optics. In 1833 he observed the interference of thermal rays, and in 1844 he proved the existence of “animal” electricity. He found (1850) that the loss of electric charge by a charged insulated body depends on the pressure of the surrounding gas and is the greater, the higher the pressure.
Founder of the journal “Nuovo Cimento” (1855). The C. Matteucci Medal was established by the Accademia dei Lincei.