Massimo d’Azeglio was born in Turin in 1798, but he spent his childhood in Florence. After the fall of Napoleon, he returned to Piedmont to attend the University. He then became a sub-lieutenant in the royal Piedmontese Cavalry, although after some time he decided to move to Rome to study painting. Surely influenced by the political beliefs of his cousin Cesare Balbo, d’Azeglio lent his efforts to the Liberal cause with both discipline and moderation. In 1849 d’Azeglio was elected Council President and as such he worked for international peace and internal reforms. With the election of Rattazzi, d’Azeglio left politics and began to dedicate himself solely to literature. |
