The New International Encyclopædia/Menabrea, Luigi Federigo

MENABREA, mā′nȧ-brā′ȧ, Luigi Federigo, Count (1809-96). An Italian general and statesman. He was born at Chambéry, in Savoy, September 4, 1809, and was educated for an engineer. On completing his studies he entered the Sardinian army as lieutenant in the engineer corps, but was soon called to a professorship of applied mathematics in the military academy and at the University of Turin. In 1848 he was promoted to the rank of captain, served in the war against Austria, and was then employed on diplomatic business. As a member of the Chamber, he inclined to believe in the possibility of an accord of the Papacy with Italian unity; but, influenced by Cavour, he soon abandoned that hope and ranged himself with the radical Unionists. During the war of 1859, Menabrea acted as chief of staff in the Sardinian army. After the defeat of the Austrians by the French and the handing over of Savoy to France, he left the province to retain his Italian citizenship, and was created a Senator by Victor Emmanuel, and made chief of the Department of Engineers. In 1860 he became a lieutenant-general, and was director of the siege operations against Gaeta, where the King of Naples had taken refuge. It surrendered after a three months' siege, for which success he was made a count. In 1861 he succeeded Ricasoli as Minister of Marine, to which he added in 1862 the duties of Minister of Public Works. He assisted in framing the Treaty of Prague in 1866, which gave Venice to Italy. He was called in 1867, on the retirement of Rattazzi, to form a new Cabinet. He continued to carry on the Government until near the close of 1869, and in the two years of his Premiership did much for Italian stability, both at home and abroad. After resigning, Menabrea was appointed Italian Ambassador to London (1876) and Paris (1882). He remained at Paris for ten years. He died at Chambéry, May 25, 1896. Among the works he wrote are: Etudes sur la série de Lagrange (Turin, 1844-47); Le génie italien dans la campagne d'Ancône et de la Basse-Italie (Paris, 1866); République et monarchie dans l'état actuel de la France (ib., 1871).