Benedetto Ponticelli

Benedetto Ponticelli (24 July 1840 – 5 May 1899) was an Italian patriot, landowner, agronomist and politician who served as mayor of Grosseto (1888–1891).

Life and career Born in Roccastrada in 1840 to Luigi and Marianna Passalacqua, in a wealthy family of landowners, he became interested in the patriotic ideals of the Risorgimento at a very young age, actively participating in the Third Italian War of Independence.

As a sergeant of the 3rd Battalion of the Tuscan National Guard, he took part in the Umbrian campaign of 1860–1861, while in 1866 he was a lieutenant and standard-bearer in the 84th Mobilized National Guard. He was the last mayor of Grosseto to receive the position by royal appointment; at the council meeting on 18 November 1889, lawyer Vittorio Valeri was unanimously elected mayor but declined the position: Ponticelli was then elected, becoming the city's first elected mayor. He remained in office until 1891. Among his other initiatives as mayor were the establishment of a normal school and a gymnasium, and the renovation of the courthouse.

He died in his home on Via Montebello in Grosseto on 5 May 1899, and was buried in the Misericordia cemetery.