Balbo

Balbo, Cesare, was born at Turin in 1789, being the son of a high official at the Piedmontese court, In 1798 he went to Paris, and at the age of 18 entered the service of Napoleon. After the fall of his master he was employed by the government of Piedmont in diplomatic missions to Paris and London, but lost his political status through the revolution of 1821. Permitted to return to his country in a mere private capacity, he devoted himself to literature and produced a life of Dante, some historical works, and essays advocating the independence of Italy. He died in 1853.