Antonio Mordini

Antonio Mordini (Barga, 1819 – Montecatini 1902), after graduating in jurisprudence in Pisa, he moved to Florence in 1843 and set up a secret society with republican leanings. He fought in the 1st War of Independence and after Leopoldo II fled to Gaeta, he supported the provisional government in which he became a minister.

At the end of the democratic experiment, Mordini spent 10 years in exile. He had strong links to Mazzini from whom, however, he distanced himself, though remaining a republican.

In 1859, after taking part in the war against Austria, he worked to unite Tuscany and Piedmont. A deputy in the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sardinia, he joined Garibaldi in Sicily and in September 1860 was appointed pro-dictator of the island. In 1862, he returned to Sicily to convince the General of the Thousand to abandon plans for an expedition against the Papal State. He was arrested as jointly responsible for the events at Aspromonte. He proved the accusation to be unfounded and was author of the summons which led to the fall of the Rattazzi government. In 1867, he was Minister of Public Works in the Menabrea government. From 1872 to 1876, he was prefect of Naples. In 1893, he was president of the Finance Commission. In 1896, he was appointed senator for life of the Kingdom of Italy.

He was attentive to the problems in his native region and several times occupied the office of vice-president of the Council of the Province of Lucca and councillor of the town of Barga.