Ricasoli, Baron Bettino

Ricasoli, Baron Bettino, Italian statesman, was born at Florence, 9th March 1809, and studied at Pisa and Florence. He was one of the best agriculturists in Italy, wrote books on the cultivation of the vine, the olive, and the mulberry, and for ten years worked successfully at the drainage of the Tuscan Maremma (q.v.). In 1859 he took a prominent part in opposing the government of the grand-duke (see ITALY), and when the latter fled Ricasoli was made dictator of Tuscany. He laboured with great energy for the unity of Italy, and when that end was accomplished was by Victor Emmanuel appointed governor-general of Tuscany. On the death of Cavour (1861) he was called to the head of the ministry; but his government was undermined by Rattazzi, and he resigned in March 1862. Ricasoli returned to power in June 1866, but was again obliged to retire in April of the following year. At the same time he withdrew altogether from public life; he died in Rome, 23d October 1880. Ten volumes of his letters and papers were published in 1886-94. See Life by Gotti (1894).