Who was the Roman author of an encyclopedic natural history that died during the eruption of Vesuvius?

The Roman author of an encyclopedic natural history who died during the eruption of Vesuvius was Pliny the Elder. His significant work, "Naturalis Historia," covers a vast range of topics, including geography, anthropology, botany, and zoology, making it one of the earliest forms of encyclopedic knowledge.

Pliny the Elder's death occurred in 79 AD while he was attempting to rescue friends and document the eruption from the Bay of Naples, displaying his dedication to scientific inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. This event holds historical importance as it not only highlights the catastrophic nature of the Vesuvius eruption but also the perils faced by those who sought to understand it.

On the other hand, while figures like Vitruvius and Pliny the Younger are significant in their own rights, neither were involved in the situation during Vesuvius's eruption in the same way as Pliny the Elder. Vitruvius was primarily known for his work on architecture, while Pliny the Younger, who indeed provided notable letters about the eruption, did not perish in the event. Haraldur Sigurdsson is a contemporary volcanologist and is not connected to the historical events of Vesuvius.