Dati was born in Florence. He received his first education from Romolo Bertini, and studied classical languages under
Giovanni Battista Doni, lector of Greek at the Studio Fiorentino. He befriended
Lorenzo Magalotti (1637–1712) and
Francesco Redi (1626–1697). In 1668, Redi dedicated his
Experiments on the generation of insects to Dati. A founder of the
Accademia del Cimento, Dati participated assiduously in its meetings. In 1640, as a 21 year old young man, Dati was admitted as a member to the exclusive
Accademia della Crusca. Seven years later, he became secretary for that society, and initiated the work that led to the third edition of the
Vocabolario (1691) and wrote the ''Discorso dell'obbligo di ben parlare la propria lingua
(1657), in which he staunchly defended the supremacy of Florentine Italian. In 1645 he became a member of the Accademia degli Apatisti with the anagrammatic pseudonym of “Currado Bartoletti.” In October 1649, he earned the honor of being elected as a permanent member or apatista reggente
with the pseudonym of Ardaclito''. In 1648, Upon Doni's death, Dati replaced him as professor of classical literature at the Florentine Studio. He authored many scientific works, including the ''Lettera ai Filaleti della vera storia della cicloide e della famosissima esperienza dell'argento vivo
(translates to Letter to the Filaleti regarding the true story of the cycloid and the well-known experience with quicksilver'' (mercury), printed Florence, 1663), written under the pseudonym of Timauro Antiate. In it, he claimed the Tuscanand thus Mediceanpriority in the correct interpretation of Torricelli's 1644 experiment, which had sparked a lively discussion all over Europe. He also published many historical, political, and literary works, including the fascinating ''Vite de' pittori antichi'' (Lives of Ancient Painters, 1667), dedicated to
Louis XIV (1638–1715), and considered the first attempt at a documentary history of painting in
classical antiquity. This work earned him a European reputation and was lavishly praised by
Pierre Bayle. Dati became a friend of
John Milton and
Nicolaas Heinsius the Elder during their travels through Florence, and continued a correspondence with them. Dati was only eighteen years old when Milton met him, yet his eloquence and scientific and historical knowledge were already widely acknowledged. Milton listed Dati among his Italian friends in
Pro populo anglicano defensio secunda. ==In fiction==