Gregorio Ugdulena at The Borghese Garden, Italy

myminifactory

This public statue located in the Pincian Gardens, Italy is a marble bust of Gregorio Ugdulena. Born on April 20, 1815, he was known as "Knight" and more commonly referred to as "strata Cavaleri". From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional intelligence, achieving outstanding results in all academic pursuits, where at the age of 19 he taught at the High School of Termini Imerese. At 21, he graduated in theology and canon law at the University of Palermo, where, at age 28, he became a professor of Hebrew and scripture. A skilled numismatist and archaeologist, he was fluent in nine languages, including Hebrew, English, French, German, and Spanish. His liberal spirit made him one of the bravest individuals involved in Italian unification, despite living under a constitutional monarchy. As a priest, he immediately stood out for his exceptional pastoral and spiritual abilities, which were sorely needed during that time. In 1848, he participated in an insurrection and held important positions such as member of the General Committee and Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Justice, worship, and internal public security. He was subsequently elected as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and Major Chaplain of the Kingdom (with rank Bishop). With the Bourbon restoration, he refused to flee, and instead, he was granted house arrest in Termini Imerese and later exiled in Mazara, Marsala, and finally on Favignana. In 1860, with Garibaldi's arrival, he became a member of the Finance Committee and Minister of Education in the Provisional Government of Sicily and Ministry of Religion. He served as Member of Parliament for the District of Marsala and later Termini Imerese, and in 1865, he was appointed Professor of Greek at the Institute of Higher Studies in Florence and a member of the Higher Council of Education. From 1870, he taught Greek and Hebrew at the University of Rome. He was also a Knight of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and Member of the Academy of Science and Letters of Palermo. Among his notable works is "The Sacred Scripture in the Vernacular Found Again with Originals and Illustrated with Brief Commentary," as well as a study on coins Punic-Sicilian. He passed away in Rome on June 2, 1872, largely due to his uncompromising spirit, which led him to make speeches in Parliament that were unacceptable to both sides of the Tiber River. Quintino Sella commemorated him in the House, describing him as a leading figure in Italian science.