Giuseppe Pellizzari
Giuseppe Pellizzari, one of the most influential figures of the 19th century Italian Risorgimento, was born the 12th of October 1807, in Santa Margherita Ligure, a small fishing village in Liguria on the Tyrrhenian Sea. His father, Domenico, was a wealthy farmer and judge, and his mother, Teresa, was a millers daughter. Giuseppe was the eldest of seven children.
Giuseppe was an intelligent and capable student, attending the Lyceum Academy of Marina in Genoa. Here, Giuseppe studied literature, philosophy, natural sciences and mathematics, while becoming increasingly involved with Italian patriotism and the Risorgimento movement. It was his studies and beliefs that led him to the liberation of other Italian states, with the aim of forming a unified nation.
Giuseppe was also a fervent admirer of Mazzini, the leader of the Italian Risorgimento. After participating in meetings of the Carbonari, a secret revolutionary society, Giuseppe joined a group of exiled Italians who were attempting to restore the Roman Republic in 1845. However, the group was quickly defeated, and Giuseppe was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in the attempted revolution.
On his release from prison, Giuseppe fled to France, where his activism continued. He maintained a loyal following in Italy and created a newspaper, L’Italia, which spread the ideas of the Risorgimento. He also wrote pamphlets and books writing directly to the people, in an effort to spread the ideologies of unification.
Giuseppe was eventually allowed back in Italy, where he contributed to the field of law. He was also highly involved in the organization of the new Kingdom of Italy. He wrote the “Fundamental Law of Italy” and, as a result, is considered the “father of the Italian Constitution.” His widely reformist views helped shaped the liberal Italian government and resulted in the eventual unification of Italy.
Giuseppe died in 1870 in Florence. He became a respected Italian patriot and leader of the Italian Risorgimento. His influence and dedication to creating a unified, emancipated and free Italy had a tremendous effect on the 19th century landscape and is still felt today in the contemporary Italian nation.
