~ The Father of Criminology ~Cesare Beccaria, or Cesare Marchese Di Beccaria Bonesana, was born March 15, 1783 in Milan, Italy. He spent his life living in Italy, but in 1758 he received a degree in law from the University of Pavia in Pavia, Italy. He continued to be interested in law and government.
In 1960, Cesare married Teresa Blasco without their parents consent. Together they lived their life in poverty while Cesare slowly repaired his relationship with his father. In 1762, they had the first of their 3 children. Once he finished his training in Pavia, he returned back to Milan and caught up with the knowledge of the age of Enlightenment. During this time, he created the "Academy of Fists" with his friends Pietro Verri, Alessandro, and other young men from the Milan aristocracy. This literary society helped him to publish his most famous work titled "On Crimes and Punishments." Other works of his were published anonymously as to not cause conflicts between beliefs. Cesare traveled to Paris where it was obvious that he did not fit in. So, without finishing his trip in Paris, he went home. When he returned home, he distanced himself from his friends and family. Eventually, he moved to Australia where he was not as famous, but was still accepted. In Australia he worked on their government, but was not as recognized. He never published anything again while he was away from his friends and family. These events lead up to his death on November 28, 1738. Beccaria's death left behind a legacy in government and court systems. These are ideas that most govenments still use today. Today he is remembered as a father of classical criminal theory and as a literally champion of the cause of humanity. Note: Two paragraphs for grading is in the information section. |
"Is it not absurd, that the laws, which punish
murder, should, in order to prevent murder, publicly commit murder themselves?" ~Cesare Beccaria |