MENABREA, Luigi Federigo, Courrr, Italian soldier and statesman: b. Chambery, in Savoy, 4 Sept. 1809; d. there, 25 May 1896. After completing a course in mathematics at the University of Turin and joining the engi neers in the Sardinian army, he accepted the professorship of technical science at the mili tary academy and at the University of Turin. Having been promoted to the rank of captain, he was used in the diplomatic corps for some time; was then elected deputy, serving both under the Minister of War and the Minister of the Interior ; and upon the outbreak of the war of Sardinia and France against Austria in 1859 he was appointed chief of the engineer corps. After Savoy was ceded to France, Menabrea was made a senator by Victor Em manuel, and chief of the department of engi neers, and as such planned the fortifications of Bologna, Piacenza and Pavia; in 1860 he was created a lieutenant-general, in that year laying siege to and after three months of fighting taking Gmta. In 1861 he joined the Cabinet of Ricasoli as Minister of Marine. in 1862 also
taking over the portfolio of Minister of Public Works. In 1866 he was Italian ambassador to the council which brought about the Treaty of Prague and ceded Venice to Italy. In 1867, when Rattazzi resigned, he formed a new ministry, himself becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Premier he did much to place Italy in cordial relations with the outside world, and to settle internal dissensions, but his imprisonment of Garibaldi and the prev alent financial straits of the nation lost to him the confidence of the House of Deputies, and on 16 Nov. 1869 he resigned. In 1870 he became Italian Ambassador at Vienna, was ap pointed to the same post at London in 1876 and in 1882 went to Paris, where he was sta tioned for 10 years. The most important of his works are 'Etudes sur la serie de Lagrange) (Turin 1844-47) ; (Le genie italian dans la campagne d'Ancone et de la Basse-Italie' (Paris 1866), and 'Republique et Monarchic dans l'etat actuel de la France) (1871).