Vittorio Puntoni was born in Pisa on 2 January 1887, son of the classical scholar Vittorio Puntoni — Rector of the University of Bologna and Senator of the Italian Kingdom — after whom he was named, and of Emma Ida Giacomelli. After graduating from the Liceo Galvani high school in Bologna, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna, graduating on 1 July 1910 with a thesis entitled “The biological diagnosis of echinococcus cysts”. A medical captain on the front lines of the Great War, he initially devoted himself to the medical profession, before embarking on a career in research: his most significant scientific achievements were in the field of rabies vaccination and the use of phenol-based vaccines. He eventually embarked on a university career and taught Bacteriology and Hygiene at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rome from 1925 to 1943, in addition to holding numerous other positions in the medical field. He died in Rome on 2 June 1970.
Puntoni was a footballing pioneer in the ranks of the Società Sportiva Studentesca. On 4 November 1906 he took part in the match between Ferrara FC and Felsineo FC. He did not play for Bologna FC because he was already busy with his medical career.
1 - Group photo of the Felsineo FC - Ferrara FC match, 4 November 1906.
2 - Birth certificate.
3 - Application for enrolment in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
<Previous | Next>