Alberto della Marmora

Who was Alberto della Marmora?

Alberto Ferrero La Marmora was an Italian soldier and naturalist.

Born in Turin but educated at the Ecole Militaire de Fontainebleau, graduating in 1807, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of infantry on the French Army. He was the second of four brothers, all of whom had distinguished military careers. He served under MacDonald in Calabria and in 1809 he joined the army of the Kingdom of Italy, participating in the campaign in Venetia. He fought at the Battle of Bautzen at the age of 24 and following the defeat of the combined Russian and Prussian forces in that engagement he was personally decorated with the Legion d'Honneur by Napoleon Bonaparte. After Napoleon's abdication Marmora gave his allegiance to the House of Savoy, the ruling house of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Marmora was posted to Sardinia but was forced to resign his commission during the insurrection of 1820-21 due to his sympathy with the rebels. Three years later he was recalled to active service, mainly on Sardinia. Despite is liberal sympathies he rose to the rank of General and in 1840 he was give command of the Royal School of Marines. He became Governor-General of Sardinia in 1849, eventually retiring to Turin where he died age 73 on 18 March 1863.