Stefano Castagnola

Stefano Castagnola (Chiavari, 3 August 1825 – Genoa, 11 September 1891) was an Italian lawyer and politician. He served as Minister of Agriculture in the Lanza cabinet, as well as Minister of the Navy and Minister of Public Works on an interim basis.

Early life Stefano was the son of Giovanni Castagnola, a lawyer and member of the Royal Genoese Senate, and his wife Giovanetta Solari. In 1847 he graduated in law from the University of Genoa where he mixed in radical political circles, meeting Nino Bixio, Girolamo Ramorino and Goffredo Mameli. In 1848, he volunteered for the army and took part in the siege of Peschiera del Garda, as well as in a number of battles including Goito, Governolo and Custoza.

After the war was over he returned to Genoa and became active in Mazzini's party. He also often represented political defendants (including Nino Bixio in 1851) and radical newspapers in the courts. He was among the founders of Italia e Popolo and he promoted the :it:Società di Tiro Nazionale, becoming its secretary together with :it:Bartolomeo Savi.

While he began his career sitting with the radical democrats, he increasingly moved closer to the moderates and ended up joining the parliamentary Right. This change earned him harsh attacks from his former Mazzinian companions, particularly through the Genoese newspaper :it:Unità italiana e Dovere.

His main and enduring cabinet role however was as Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce which he held for the duration of the government.

Later life Castagnola remained in parliament until 1876. In 1888 he ran for election as mayor of Genoa, defeating Andrea Podestà and serving until 1891. He had development work carried out in the port, and prepared for the Columbian Exhibition which took place in 1892.

He had a strong commitment to welfare and public health, attending to the care of those affected during the cholera epidemics of 1854 and 1866–67; for these efforts in 1869 he was awarded the medal of merit for public health in 1869. He also served as president of the administration of the Genoese hospitals.

Honours Stefano Castagnola received a number of Italian and foreign honours.