Sicilian Culture - The People: Filippo Mazzei

Sicilian Culture

The People, The History, The Culture

Famous Italians

Filippo Mazzei
December 25, 1730 - - - March 19, 1816

Filippo Mazzei was born in Toscana (Tuscany) to a fine family and got the best education they could afford. He then traveled most of Europe before settling in London where he established Martini & Co., a business of introducing that city to his land's native foods such as wine, cheese, olives and olive oil, and other fruits. It is at this time that he met people like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Adams. He was encouraged to move to Virgina to expand that business. Thomas Adams had eventually introduced Mazzei to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was amazed at Maezzei's knowledge and introduced him to the land across from Monticello. From there and this circle of friends he soon became interested and involved Virginia's politics and spoke out about Britain's rule. It was from Mazzei's words that Thomas Jefferson translated into English to publish. In 1776 Mazzei wrote "We think that if we could have but one and the same Constitution for all the united colonies, our union would be infinitely stronger". It is said that he was the Godfather of the Declaration of independence. Filippo eventually found his way back to Europe, in Warsaw, Poland and made his way back to Pisa, Italy, where he died at age of 86 and having lived a long an productive life.

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