born Aug. 10, 1810, Turin, Piedmont, French Empire
died June 6, 1861, Turin, Italy
Italian statesman, leading figure of the Risorgimento .
Influenced by revolutionary ideas from an early age, he traveled to Paris and London and in 1847 founded the liberal newspaper Il Risorgimento , and he helped persuade Charles Albert to grant a liberal constitution. Elected to Parliament in 1848, Cavour held several cabinet posts before becoming prime minister of Piedmont (185259, 186061). His exploitation of international rivalries and of revolutionary movements brought about the unification of Italy under the house of Savoy , with himself as the first prime minister of the new kingdom (1861).