In 1862 he earned his degree in natural sciences from the University of Pisa, where he later became an instructor and professor.

In 1880 he was a professor of botany at the University of Turin, and in 1882 was appointed director of the Botanical Garden of Pisa.

In 1882 Arcangeli published his best-known work, a highly regarded compendium of Italian flora titled Compendio della flora italiana.

The plant genus Arcangelisia from the family Menispermaceae was named in his honor in 1877.

[2] Then in 1900, Arcangeliella is a genus of gasteroid fungi in the family Russulaceae was published by Fridiano Cavara.