Background
Federico Confalonieri was born at Milan, descended from a noble Lombard family.
Federico Confalonieri was born at Milan, descended from a noble Lombard family.
Confalonieri went on to London, in the hope of winning the favour of the British government, but failed in his object.
He then joined the freemasons and some of the various other secret societies with which all Europe was swarming, being initiated by Filippo Buonarroti (1761 - 1837), an old Tuscan Jacobin living in Paris.
On returning to Milan, where he found the Austrians in possession, he at first devoted himself to promoting the material progress of his country, but he was ever watching for an opportunity to liberate it from the foreigner. Early in 1821, when the atmosphere was thick with rumours of revolt, he visited various parts of Italy to sound the liberal leaders, and also corresponded with the Piedmontese officers who, believing that they had the approval of Prince Charles Albert of Carignano, the heir to the throne, were planning a military revolt.
He had undoubtedly played a considerable role in the conspiracy of 1821, being the most influential and richest of the Milanese Liberals; when first arrested his conduct may have been open to criticism, but he more than expiated any temporary weakness due to ill-health and to the barbarous methods of examination by his heroic attitude during his long imprisonment, and his persistent refusal to accept offers of pardon accompanied by dishonouring conditions. His Memoire e Lellere have been edited by Gabrio Casati (2 vols. , Milan, 1890).
A. D'Ancona's Federico Confalonieri (Milan, 1898) is based on the memoirs and on a large number of secret documents from the archives of Vienna and Milan.
A. Luzio's Antonio Salvotti e i processi del Ventuno (Rome, 1901) contains many fresh documents which to some extent exonerate Salvotti from the charge of cruelty; among other papers Metternich's account of his interview with Confalonieri is given in full.
In 1806 Federico Confalonieri married Teresa Casati.