CAPPONI, GINO, (1792-1876), Italian states man and historian, was descended from an ancient Florentine family. In 1811 he married the marchesina Giulia Riccardi. After the return of the grand duke Ferdinand III. from exile in 1814, Capponi embarked upon a long series of travels that brought him into touch with the most notable intellects of his day. In London he met Lord John Russell ; and his visit to Edin burgh, where he made the acquaintance of Francis Jeffrey, in spired him to found, on his return home, a literary review like the Edinburgh—the Antologia. He also contributed to the Archivio Storico. After dallying with politics, he devoted him self to the economic development of Tuscany until in 1848 the grand duke Leopold II. decided to grant his people a constitu tion. Capponi threw himself heartily into the ruler's plans, and finally took office as prime minister. His conduct of foreign affairs was far-sighted, and he endeavoured to retrieve the situa tion after Charles Albert had been defeated on the Mincio. Al though he had lost his sight in 1844, he continued to devote him self to his favourite historical studies. These he resumed on his resignation from the premiership in Oct. 1848, when he began his great work, the Storia della Repubblica di Firenze. In 1859 he voted for the union of Tuscany with Piedmont, and in 186o he was created a senator by King Victor Emmanuel. A large num ber of his miscellaneous writings have been published under the title Scritti Inediti.