- Accademia dei Lincei was founded in 1603 by Marchese Federico Cesi. The Linceo (lynx) was chosen as the symbol of the institution, because of the presumed keenness of its eye. The aim of the Accademia was, and still is, the study of scientific disciplines from a global point of view, and the fostering of cooperation among researchers in any field all over the world. Some 540 members, both Italian and non-Italian, belong to the Accademia, and are grouped into two classes: Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Naturali and Scienze Morali, Storiche e Filologiche.