Ugo Bassi

There are countless streets across Italy named after Ugo Bassi, including an important one in the centre of Bologna where his statue now stands. Although largely forgotten today at least by non-Italians, his fight and death was a great liberal cause célèbre.

Born in Cento in Emilia in 1801 and educated in Bologna, he turned to the priesthood after a disappointment in love, and went to Rome, where he joined the Barnabites, an order dedicated to ministering to the working classes and to education. He was known for his exuberance and enthusiasm; he studied English and French as well as Latin and Greek, learned to draw and play the guitar, flute and violin. Later based in Bologna, he travelled throughout Italy, famous for his eloquent sermons and ministry to the poor, whose poverty he shared, although he often found himself in trouble with Rome.

In 1846, he enthusiastically supported the new pope, Pius IX, whose pardon of political prisoners in the Papal States gave Bassi hope that the new pope was a liberal. Two years later he joined in the Risorgimento fight against the Austrians as a chaplain. He saw Pius IX's declaration of neutrality in the fight as a betrayal.