Studied engeneering and mathematics in Zürich with Fiedler, after he went to Roma and completed his studies with G. Battaglini and L. Cremona and graduated in 1877. In 1880-81 he went to Leipzig where he studied with F. Klein. He taught geometry in Padova since 1881.

He was heavily involved in political activities. During the period going from 1897 to 1900 he was elected member of the Italian parliament and, from 1904, he became senator. He was also a member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.

He was one of the founders (with C. Segre) of Italian school of multi-dimensional geometry, and was also engaged in educational activities.

Among his students we may cite two of the most important Italian geometers, G. Castelnuovo and F. Severi.

Main commemorations and studies: C. Segre, Rend. della R. Acc. Nazionale dei Lincei , (5), 26, 1917, 249-258.