Massimo d'Azeglio

Massimo Taparelli, Marquess of Azeglio (24 October 1798 – 15 January 1866), commonly called Massimo d'Azeglio (Italian: [ˈmassimo tapaˈrɛlli dadˈdzeʎʎo]), was a Piedmontese-Italian statesman, novelist, and painter. He was Prime Minister of Sardinia for almost three years until succeeded by his rival Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. A moderate liberal and member of the Moderate Party associated with the Historical Right, d'Azeglio hoped for a federal union between Italian states. As Prime Minister, d'Azeglio consolidated the parliamentary system, getting the young King Victor Emmanuel II to accept his constitutional status, and worked hard for a peace treaty with Austria. Although himself a Roman Catholic, he introduced freedom of worship, supported public education, and sought to reduce the power of the clergy in local political affairs. As a senator, following the annexation of the United Provinces of Central Italy, d'Azeglio attempted to solve the Roman Question through reconciliation between the Vatican and the new Italian Kingdom. His brother was a Jesuit priest.