Chevalier Antonio Schembri (1813-1872) father of Maltese ornithology

Abstract

Antonio Schembri was born in Valletta on the 10th April, 1813 of Gian Battista and Rosa Maria, nee' Monteverde, on the day when the Maltese brig, 'San Nikola' departed from Marsamxett Harbour leaving behind it a plague epidemic which raged for over a year and claimed nearly 5,000 victims. Following this epidemic Antonio's father was appointed Captain of the Quarantine Port where he made a name in this appointment both in Malta and abroad after a long career in the Venetian and Austrian Navy. A brother of Antonio, Gian Battista was a lawyer. A step-brother, anther Gian Battista was the first professor of midwifery in our University and is remembered for the first Cesarean operation to be performed on a woman living in Malta, a step-sister Agnese was an active member of the Historical and Scientific Society during the early part of this century and in her will she left a bursary for the teaching of music from which our children are still benefiting . This shows that Antonio like his brothers and sisters was given a good and sound education.