Count Camillo Benso of Cavour

Cavour, Count Camillo Benso of (1810–61), Italian statesman largely responsible for the unification of Italy. Cavour, under Victor Emmanuel II, became premier of Piedmont in 1852 and sought to unite the country by making piecemeal additions to Piedmont. A subtle diplomat, he secured the central Italian states. The unification, except for Venice and the province of Rome, was completed in 1861, only a few months before Cavour's death.

See also: Italy.