Lodovico Negroni: A Hero of Sapri between History, Memory Construction, and the Political Uses of History

Abstract

The article reconstructs the figure of Lodovico Negroni, a Risorgimento patriot who fell during the Sapri expedition of 1857, highlighting his ideological motivations and popular social background. Drawing on new sources, it outlines a profile marked by conflicts with authorities and an early adherence to democratic and republican ideals. The second part examines the commemorations held in Orvieto in 1912–1913, showing how Negroni’s memory became an object of contention among different political cultures. The case reveals the central role of the political use of history in shaping identities and narratives of the Risorgimento at the local level as well.