Sir Anthony Panizzi, an Italian scholar and patriot, played a pivotal role in shaping the British Museum during the 19th century. Born Antonio Genesio Maria Panizzi in Brescello, Italy, on 16th September 1797, he fled his homeland for political reasons and sought refuge in England.
Panizzi’s remarkable journey from exile to knighthood is a testament to his brilliance and dedication to preserving knowledge.
A law graduate from the University of Parma, Panizzi began his career as a civil servant, eventually becoming Inspector of Public Schools in his hometown. However, he was also involved with the Carbonari, a network of secret societies across Italy in the early 19th century. The Carbonari aimed to overthrow the oppressive regimes of the Kingdoms of Naples and Sardinia, the Papal States, and the Duchy of Modena to unify Italy under a republic or constitutional monarchy.
Panizzi participated in several attempted uprisings but was forced to flee Italy in 1822 after being warned of his impending arrest for subversive activities. He first sought refuge in Switzerland, where he published a book attacking the Duchy of Modena, then ruling his hometown of Brescello. In response, a court in Modena sentenced him to death in absentia.
Facing pressure from the Duchy and threats of expulsion from Switzerland, Panizzi fled once more. His escape eventually led him to England in 1823, where his remarkable journey would take a new turn.
Life in England
Panizzi began his career in Britain as a teacher of Italian, but his passion for books and scholarship soon drew him to the British Museum. He joined the institution in 1831 as an assistant librarian. Over time, his expertise and innovative ideas led to his appointment as Keeper of Printed Books in 1837. In this role, Panizzi initiated transformative changes, including the creation of the library’s famous catalogue, which revolutionised how books were indexed and accessed.
Panizzi’s vision extended beyond mere organisation. He believed the British Museum Library should be a resource for all people, not just an elite few. He worked tirelessly to make the library more accessible, ensuring that anyone with a thirst for knowledge could benefit from its vast resources.
Under his leadership, the library’s collection expanded significantly, from around 200,000 volumes to over 500,000, a remarkable achievement at the time.
One of Panizzi’s most notable contributions was the design of the iconic Reading Room, which opened in 1857. The circular space, with its impressive dome, became a symbol of the British Museum Library and an inspiration for other libraries around the world. It provided scholars with a welcoming space to work, study, and exchange ideas, further cementing the British Museum’s reputation as a leading institution of knowledge.
In recognition of his contributions, Queen Victoria knighted Panizzi in 1869, honouring his services to the British Museum Library and the nation. His knighthood marked the culmination of a career dedicated to learning, innovation, and public service.
Supporter of Italian Unification
Despite living in England for much of his life, Panizzi remained committed to Italy’s political cause.
Although Panizzi was no longer directly involved in Italy’s Risorgimento movement, he continued to support the cause of Italian liberty from abroad. Through his connections with influential Liberal statesmen in England, including Prime Ministers Lord Palmerston and William Ewart Gladstone, Panizzi advanced Italy’s fight for independence. Notably, he took Gladstone to Naples to witness the brutal conditions in which political prisoners were held.
In London, Panizzi also met the exiled Italian poet Ugo Foscolo, forging a bond with another key figure of the Italian independence movement. Despite his connections and influence, Panizzi declined offers to take an active role in Italian politics after unification. Both Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, Italy’s first prime minister, invited him to serve as a senator or as a member of the Council of Public Instruction, but Panizzi chose to remain focused on his work in England.
Panizzi died in London in 1879 and was buried in the Kensal Green Catholic Cemetery.
