Luigi Settembrini, born on April 17, 1813, in Naples, Italy, is one of the most influential figures in the Italian Risorgimento, the movement that led to the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Settembrini’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to the ideals of liberty and his deep-seated opposition to tyranny. A passionate patriot, educator, and writer, Settembrini’s contributions to Italian literature and political thought have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. This article delves into the life, fame, and legacy of Luigi Settembrini, exploring the nuances of his influence on Italian society and the broader historical context in which he lived.
Early Life and Education
Born into a family with a strong tradition of legal and civic engagement, Luigi Settembrini was deeply influenced by his father, Raffaele Settembrini, a lawyer who had been imprisoned for his involvement in the 1799 Neapolitan Republic, a short-lived revolutionary government. From a young age, Luigi was imbued with ideals of freedom and justice, values that would define his life’s work.
Settembrini’s early education took place in a boarding school in Maddaloni, a town in the province of Caserta. Although he was initially pushed towards a legal career, attending the University of Naples to study law, Settembrini’s true passion lay in literature and the arts. Despite his father’s wishes, he eventually abandoned his legal studies to pursue his literary interests under the mentorship of Basilio Puoti, a prominent figure in the Neapolitan literary scene.
Early Career and Political Involvement
Luigi Settembrini’s literary talents quickly gained recognition, leading to his appointment in 1835 as a professor of eloquence at the Liceo of Catanzaro, a prestigious high school in Calabria. It was during this time that Settembrini’s political activities began to take shape. Alongside Benedetto Musolino, Settembrini founded a secret society known as the “Children of Young Italy,” inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s “Young Italy” movement. This society aimed to promote the unification of Italy and the establishment of a republic, goals that were considered highly radical at the time.
Settembrini’s involvement in this secret society led to his arrest in May 1839. Although he was acquitted after a lengthy trial, he was held in prison until October 1842, a period that solidified his resolve against the oppressive Bourbon rule in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Upon his release, Settembrini found himself stripped of his professorship and forced to survive by giving private lessons. Despite these hardships, his political fervor only grew stronger.
The “Protest of the People of the Two Sicilies”
In 1847, Settembrini anonymously authored the “Protest of the People of the Two Sicilies,” a scathing indictment of the Bourbon government’s misrule. This document, which quickly spread across the kingdom, called for greater political freedoms and criticized the monarchy for its tyranny and corruption. The “Protest” resonated deeply with the populace, and Settembrini’s words became a rallying cry for those who sought change.
However, the success of this pamphlet also brought increased scrutiny from the authorities. Suspected of being its author, Settembrini was forced to flee to Malta in January 1848, just weeks before the outbreak of revolutions across Europe. He returned to Naples later that year after the Bourbon king, Ferdinand II, granted a constitution in response to the widespread unrest.
Role in the 1848 Revolutions and Subsequent Arrest
Upon his return to Naples in 1848, Luigi Settembrini was appointed by Carlo Poerio, a leading liberal politician, as head of a division in the Ministry of Public Education. However, Settembrini’s time in government was brief; he resigned after just two months, disillusioned by the rampant favoritism and disorder he witnessed. His departure from public office did not mark the end of his political activism, though.
In the same year, Settembrini, along with Silvio Spaventa, Filippo Agresti, and other patriots, founded the secret society “Grand Society of Italian Unity,” which aimed to continue the fight for Italy’s unification. Unfortunately, the Bourbon restoration in 1849 led to a severe crackdown on these revolutionary activities. Settembrini was arrested once again on June 23, 1849, and after a lengthy and politically charged trial, he was sentenced to death in 1851.
Imprisonment and Exile
Settembrini’s death sentence was eventually commuted to life imprisonment, and he was transferred to the notorious prison on the island of Santo Stefano. Despite the harsh conditions, Settembrini remained resilient, finding solace in his studies. During his incarceration, he translated the works of the ancient Greek satirist Lucian and wrote several character sketches of fellow prisoners, which would later be published as part of his memoirs, Ricordanze.
In 1859, an unexpected turn of events led to Settembrini’s release. The Bourbon government, under increasing pressure, decided to free a group of political prisoners on the condition that they be exiled to America. Settembrini and his fellow prisoners were put on a ship bound for the United States, but in a daring twist, Settembrini’s son Raffaele, who had joined the crew under an alias, convinced the captain to divert the ship to Ireland. From there, Luigi Settembrini traveled to England and eventually to Turin, where he continued his work in the Italian unification movement.
Return to Italy and Later Life
Luigi Settembrini returned to Naples in 1860, just as the movement for Italian unification was reaching its zenith. The following year, with the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy, Settembrini was appointed Inspector General of Public Education, a role in which he could influence the direction of Italian educational policy. Although he was elected to the Italian Parliament, Settembrini chose to resign his seat, citing a potential conflict of interest with his duties in education.
Settembrini’s later years were marked by his continued involvement in the intellectual and political life of the new Italian state. He became a vocal advocate for the preservation of Naples’ cultural heritage and traditions, which he felt were being eroded by the unification process. Through his writings in the newspaper L’Italia, Settembrini defended the regional identities of the Italian people, arguing that the new state should respect and incorporate these diverse cultural elements rather than impose a homogenized national identity.
In 1861, Settembrini was appointed to the chair of Italian literature at the University of Bologna, and the following year he returned to Naples to teach at his alma mater. His lectures, later compiled into the three-volume Lezioni di letteratura italiana, represented the first comprehensive attempt to interpret Italy’s literary history through the lens of the Risorgimento, emphasizing the role of literature in shaping national consciousness.
Legacy and Literary Contributions
Luigi Settembrini passed away on November 4, 1876, but his legacy continued through his literary and political works. His memoirs, Ricordanze della mia vita (Memories of My Life), published posthumously in 1879-1880, provide a vivid account of his experiences and thoughts during the most turbulent years of the Risorgimento. The memoirs are divided into two parts: the first covers the period up to 1848, while the second, more fragmented section, deals with the years 1849-1859. These writings offer valuable insights into the mindset of a patriot during a period of intense political upheaval.
In addition to his memoirs, Settembrini’s other works were compiled and published after his death. These include Scritti vari di letteratura, politica ed arte (Various Writings on Literature, Politics, and Art) and his correspondence, Epistolario, which were published in 1879 and 1883, respectively. His dialogues and unpublished writings were later edited by Francesco Torraca in 1909, further cementing Settembrini’s place in Italian literary and political history.
Conclusion
Luigi Settembrini’s life was a testament to the power of conviction and the enduring influence of intellectual and moral courage. His unwavering commitment to the cause of Italian unification and his contributions to literature and education have earned him a revered place in Italy’s national pantheon. Settembrini’s works continue to be studied and celebrated for their passionate advocacy of liberty, justice, and cultural preservation.
As Italy transitioned from a collection of fragmented states to a unified nation, figures like Settembrini played a crucial role in shaping the country’s identity. His life and work serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for Italy’s unification and the enduring importance of intellectual freedom in the face of oppression.
Luigi Settembrini remains a symbol of the Risorgimento’s ideals, a man whose life was dedicated to the pursuit of a better, more just society. His legacy is not only in the words he wrote but in the values he championed—values that continue to resonate in the ongoing story of Italy.
