[2] Demetrio was born in Liguria, was the son of Teramo Canevari, a wealthy merchant and lawyer, and Pellegrina Borsona, belonging to a distinguished family.

[3] He had two brothers Matteo and Ottaviano Canevari, who were dedicated to trade and the laws.

[5] He returned to Rome in 1581, where was member of the papal court and became the personal doctor of the Pope and his courtiers.

His works include De ligno sancto commentarium (1602), Ars medica seu Curandorum morborum (1625),[8] De primis rerum natura factarum principiis commentarius: (1626), and Morborum Omnium Qui Corpus Humanum Affligunt, Vt Decet, & Ex Arte Curandorum Accurata, & Plenissima Methodus (1626).

[9] His paternal great-grandfather was Leonino Scordari, a trader with connections in Constantinople.