Crispi, Francesco

(born Oct. 4, 1819, Ribera, Sicily—died Aug. 12, 1901, Naples) Italian politician.

Exiled from Sicily for his revolutionary activities, he became an associate of Giuseppe Mazzini and encouraged Giuseppe de Garibaldi to conquer Sicily in 1860. He served as a deputy from Sicily in the newly unified Italian parliament (1861–96) and held office in several leftist governments. As premier (1887–91, 1893–96), he instituted liberal reforms and later improved the economy but became increasingly repressive. He embarked on a disastrous foreign policy, organizing Eritrea as a colony and attempting colonial expansion in Africa. He was forced to resign after the Italian defeat at the Battle of Adwa.