Benedetto Stay (1714–1801) was a RagusanRoman Catholic clergyman, educated by Jesuits, he attended the academic assemblies of Marin Sorgo, beginning the composition of a poem on Alexander Farnese. Later on, he published "Saggio sull'uomo", based on the system of Descartes.
He was the author of two Latin poems, one on the Cartesian philosophy in 6 books (Venice 1744) and the other on that of Newton in 10 books (1755–1792). Besides, he wrote three orations: one on the death of Clement XII, one for the election of his successor, and the third on the death of August III, king of Poland.