Frank Capra Filmmaker (1897-1991) Born in Sicily in 1903, Frank Capra became one of the most important Americanfilmmakers of the 1930s...

Italo Balbo Aviation (1896-1940) Italy’s pre-World War II aeronautical prowess was showcased in the summer of1933, when Gen. Italo Balbo...

Rudolph Valentino Actor (1895-1926) Born in Italy, Rudolph Valentino was one of the biggest stars of the silent film era.He established...

Guglielmo Marconi Inventor (1874-1937) Born in Bologna, Marconi is often considered the inventor of radio. In 1901, usingequipment of his...

Maria Montessori, M.D. Education (1870-1952) A medical doctor with experience in psychiatry, philosophy and anthropology,Maria Montessori...

A.P. Giannini Business (1870-1949) The Bank of Italy was only two years old when San Francisco was virtuallydestroyed in 1906 by a...

Giacomo Puccini Composer (1858-1924) Giacomo Puccini was the last great Italian opera composer. His music hasmoved audiences worldwide...

Charles Bonaparte Law (1851-1921) As attorney general during Theodore Roosevelt’s administration, CharlesBonaparte established a special...

St. Frances Cabrini Humanitarian (1850-1917) Small and sickly as a child growing up in Italy, Francesca SaverioCabriniconquered her...

Giuseppe Verdi Composer (1813-1901) Giuseppe Verdi’s life spanned the 19th century, and for many of his 87 years, hisgenius dominated...

Constantino Brumidi Artist (1805-80) Known as the “Michelangelo of the Capitol,” Constantino Brumidispent 25 yearspainting the walls and...

Filippo Mazzei Patriot (1730-1816) Everyone knows Thomas Jefferson penned the phrase, “All men are createdequal.” Few are aware that the...

Barbara Strozzi Music (1619-77) Born in Venice of modest means, Barbara Strozzitook the Baroque music sceneby storm. A prolific composer...

Galileo Galilei Scientist (1564-1642) Pisan-born Galileo developed the astronomical telescope and then used it todiscover the first...

Michelangelo Buonarroti Artist (1475-1564) The multitalented Michelangelo enjoyed a 75-year career, and his influenceextended for...

Leonardo da Vinci Universal genius (1452-1519) Renowned as a supreme painter—as testified by his “Annunciation,” “Virgin ofthe Rocks,”...

Amerigo Vespucci Explorer (c.1451-1512) A financial manager for the de’ Medici family, Amerigo Vespucci turned hisattention toward...

Filippo Brunelleschi Architect (1377-1446) If the term “workaholic” had existed in the 1400s, it would have been used todescribe...

St. Catherine of Siena Mystic and activist (1347-80) Caterina di Benincasawas a religious mystic who, as a lay member of theDominican...

Dante Alighieri Poet (1265-1321) Dante is the greatest name in Italian letters and among the giants of Western literature. His “Divine...