Lost in thought, Giuseppe Mazzini once lived right here. This blue plaque commemorates the Italian patriot. It stands as a testament to his time in London. Let me tell you about Giuseppe Mazzini and his connection to this very spot.
Giuseppe Mazzini was born in Genoa in 1805. Italy was then a collection of independent states. He became a lawyer but yearned for a unified, republican Italy. He dedicated his life to this cause.
Mazzini’s activism led to imprisonment and exile. He spent considerable time in London during the 1840s, 1850s, and 1860s. From here, he continued to fight for Italian unification. This plaque on North Gower Street marks his London residence.
Mazzini founded a secret society called Young Italy. It was dedicated to unifying the country. He stirred up riots and insurrections. The British government even spied on his letters. They warned European powers of Italian unrest.
In 1849, a republic was briefly declared in Rome. Mazzini was its leader. However, Pope Pius IX called in French troops. The republic was quickly overthrown. Mazzini returned to London, where he plotted and planned.
Though he advocated for a republic, Italy unified under a monarchy in 1861. Still, Mazzini continued to push for a republican government. He tried to start a rebellion in Sicily in 1870. This led to his arrest and imprisonment.
After an amnesty, Mazzini returned to London in late 1870. He died in Italy in 1872. Despite some debate over his exact contribution, he is remembered with two plaques in London.
The other plaque is on Laystall Street. It marks the site where Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi founded a society in 1864. It was called the Society for the Progress of Italian Workers in London. This society aimed to involve London’s Italian population in the unification effort.
Interestingly, this building is next to where the BBC filmed Sherlock. It seems a wall lamp nearly covered the Giuseppe Mazzini Blue plaque. The Laystall Street plaque was installed in 1922. The society had been in the building for many years then.
This area once had a large Italian population. The Society met first at Mazzini’s house. Later, the society moved to Farringdon Road before settling at Laystall Street.
During the Second World War, the Red Lion Street premises were seized. Afterwards, the society was given it back and renamed itself the Mazzini-Garibaldi Club.
So, as you stand before this Giuseppe Mazzini Blue plaque, remember the story of a man who fought tirelessly for his vision of a united Italy. His London residence served as a base for his revolutionary activities. The plaque is a lasting reminder of his dedication and passion.