Chigi

Chigi, a princely Italian family, whose founder was Agostino Chigi (died 1512), of Siena, who in Rome became banker to the popes, and was noted for his pomp and encouragement of art. See Cugnoni's Agostino Chigi il Magnifico (Rome, 1881).—A descendant, FABIO CHIGI, occupied the papal throne as Alexander VII. (1655-67).—FLAVIO CHIGI, born in 1810, was till 1848 in the papal guard, and then became Bishop of Mira in partibus, nuncio at Munich, and till 1873 at Paris, and died a cardinal, 15th February 1885. The head of the family is Prince of Campagnano and Duke of Ariccia, and is also hereditary marshal of the Conclave.