Massimo d'Azeglio
Italian statesman, novelist and painter / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Massimo Taparelli, Marquess of Azeglio (24 October 1798 – 15 January 1866), commonly called Massimo d'Azeglio (Italian: [ˈmassimo tapaˈrɛlli dadˈdzeʎʎo]), belonging to the high nobility, was a Piedmontese-Italian statesman, novelist and painter. He was Prime Minister of Sardinia for almost three years, until his rival Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour succeeded him. D'Azeglio was a moderate liberal who hoped for a federal union between Italian states.[1][2][3][4] As Prime Minister, he consolidated the parliamentary system, getting the young king to accept his constitutional status, and worked hard for a peace treaty with Austria. Although himself a Roman Catholic, he introduced freedom of worship, supported public education, and sought to reduce the power of the clergy in local political affairs. As senator, following the annexation of the United Provinces of Central Italy, Azeglio attempted to reconcile the Vatican with the new Italian Kingdom. His brother Luigi Taparelli d'Azeglio was a Jesuit priest.[5]
Massimo d'Azeglio | |
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Senator of the Kingdom of Italy | |
In office 20 October 1853 – 15 January 1866 | |
Monarch | Victor Emmanuel II |
Prime Minister of Sardinia | |
In office 7 May 1849 – 4 November 1852 | |
Monarch | Victor Emmanuel II |
Preceded by | Claudio Gabriele de Launay |
Succeeded by | The Count of Cavour |
Member of the Sardinian Chamber of Deputies | |
In office 8 May 1848 – 20 October 1853 | |
Constituency | Strambino |
Personal details | |
Born | (1798-10-24)24 October 1798 Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia |
Died | 15 January 1866(1866-01-15) (aged 67) Turin, Italy |
Political party | Historical Right |
Spouse(s) | Giulia Claudia Manzoni (m. 1831; died 1834) |
Children | Alessandra Taparelli |
Parents | Cesare Taparelli and Cristina Morozzo |
Alma mater | University of Turin |
Profession | Soldier, writer, painter |
Military service | |
Branch/service | Royal Sardinian Army |
Years of service | 1815; 1848–1849 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 2nd Cavalry Regiment |
Battles/wars | 1st Italian War of Independence |