Francesco Fiorentino

Francesco Fiorentino (1 May 1834 – 22 December 1884) was an Italian philosopher and historiographer. He was born in Sambiase (now Lamezia Terme) and his father was a chemist and pharmacist. He studied literature, theology, and jurisprudence. Fiorentino attempted to join the Expedition of the Thousand but failed. After the Italian unification, he became a teacher of philosophy in Spoleto. In 1861, he moved to Maddaloni, near Naples, where he published 'Il Panteismo di Giordano Bruno'. This work led him to become a teacher at the University of Bologna in 1862. He also taught at the University of Pisa, where he wrote 'Elementi di filosofia', a widely used schoolbook. Fiorentino was elected as a Deputy in the Italian Parliament twice. He founded the 'Giornale Napoletano' in 1883. He died in Naples in 1884. Memorials were built in Catanzaro and his hometown.