Giovanni Polvani (17.12.1892-11.08.1970) — an Italian physicist, a member of the Accademia dei Lincei (1948). He was born in Spoleto. He graduated from the University of Pisa (1917), where in 1927-29 he was professor, and in 1929 —63 professor and director of the Institute of Physics of the University of Milan.
His work concerned mainly thermodynamics and the history of science. He was the organiser of many conferences and congresses.
In 1947 — 61 he was president of the Italian Physical Society, and in 1961 — 65 of the National Research Council.