Contarini

Contarini, the name of a noble family in Venice, one of the twelve that elected the first Doge. Between 1043 and 1674, eight Doges were furnished by this family, which also counted amongst its members four patriarchs, and a large number of generals, statesmen, artists, poets, and scholars (see VENICE).—CARDINAL GASPARO CONTARINI (1483-1542) distinguished himself as Venetian ambassador at the court of Charles V., and was papal legate at the Diet of Ratisbon (1541), where he displayed great moderation, seeking by concessions to bring about the reunion of the Protestants with the church.—SIMONE (1563-1633) was Venetian ambassador at several Italian courts, in Spain, in Constantinople, &c., and was a Latin poet.—LUDOVICO (1629-1653) was ambassador in Paris.