Achille Lauro

Achille Lauro (Italian pronunciation: [aˈkille ˈlauro]; 16 June 1887 – 15 November 1982) was an Italian businessman and politician. He is widely considered one of the main precursors of modern populism in Italian politics. He was nicknamed by his supporters Il Comandante ("The Commander").[1]

Achille Lauro
Mayor of Naples
In office
9 July 1952  6 January 1958
Preceded byDomenico Moscati
Succeeded byNicola Sansanelli
In office
4 February 1961  29 November 1961
Preceded byNicola Sansanelli
Succeeded byVincenzo Maria Palmieri
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
12 June 1958  4 June 1968
In office
25 May 1972  19 June 1979
Member of the Senate of the Republic
In office
25 June 1953  12 June 1958
In office
4 June 1968  25 May 1972
Personal details
Born(1887-06-16)16 June 1887
Piano di Sorrento, Campania, Italy
Died15 November 1982(1982-11-15) (aged 95)
Naples, Campania, Italy
Political partyPNF (1939–1943)
PNM (1946–1954)
PMP (1954–1959)
PDIUM (1959–1972)
MSI (1972–1977)
DN (1977–1979)
SpouseAngelina Lauro
Residence(s)Naples, Italy
ProfessionPolitician
Entrepreneur
Nickname"Il Comandante"

Biography

Born the fifth of six children of the shipowner Gioacchino and of Laura Cafiero, he was on his part the shipowner and founder of the "Flotta Lauro", based in Southern Italy.

During the decades of Italian Fascist dictatorship (1922–1943), he became a member of the National Fascist Party (PNF) and was named National Counselor of the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations, appointed to this position by Galeazzo Ciano, son-in-law of Benito Mussolini himself, who was active in shipping commerce. Also during this period he was named president of the Naples football club SSC Napoli, where he succeeded Giorgio Ascarelli.

After the end of World War II, following an initial participation in the Common Man's Front, he became active in the Italian monarchist movement led by Alfredo Covelli and financially supported the foundation of the Monarchist National Party (PNM), and was for a long time the mayor of Naples.

In 1972, he joined the neo-fascist party Italian Social Movement (MSI).[2] A square in the coastal town of Sorrento is named after him.

References

  • Achille Della Ragione. Achille Lauro superstar: la vita, l'impero, la leggenda. Napoli, 2003.
  • Serena Romano. Don Achille, 'o comandante. Milano, 1992.
  • Pietro Zullino. Il Comandante. Milano, 1976.
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