Botta

Botta, CARLO GIUSEPPE GUGLIELMO, an Italian poet and historian, born in Piedmont in 1766, studied medicine in Turin, and in 1794 became a physician to the French army. In 1799 he was appointed a member of the provisional government of Piedmont. After the incorporation of Piedmont with France, he repaired to Paris, where, as a member of the Corps Législatif, he gave offence to Napoleon. After the Restoration he became rector of academies at Nancy and Rouen; and in 1830 he was allowed to return to his native town, and received a pension. He died in Paris, August 10, 1837. Early works are those on Corfu (1799), Dalmatia (1802), and the American Revolution (1809); and his epic poem, Il Camillo (1806). His most important works are the Histoire des Peuples d'Italie (1825); and Storia d'Italia dal 1490 al 1814 (20 vols. 1832), which consists of Guicciardini's work (1490-1534), and his own continuation of it. See the Life of him by Pavesio (1874).