The Life And Times Of Cavour (volume One)

The biography of one of the greatest of Italy's 19th century statesmen who aided in the regeneration of Italy. Count Camillo Benso di Cavour (1810 - 1861) was the driving force behind the unification of Italy under Victor Emmanuel II, king of Sardinia. He was educated at the Turin military academy. In 1847 Cavour founded the newspaper Il Risorgimento to further the cause of unification. As Premier of Piedmont (1852-1859; and again from 1860-1861), he obtained international support by forming an alliance with France and participating in the Crimean and Franco-Austrian wars. In 1861 he saw Victor Emmanuel crowned king of a united Italy, and became Italy's first Premier.