The Twilight of Rome's Papal Nobility: The Life of Agnese Borghese Boncompagni Ludovisi (Other Voices of Italy) - Hardcover

Boncompagni Ludovisi (1856–1935), Ugo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1978840861 ISBN 13: 9781978840867

Publisher: Rutgers University Press, 2025

Synopsis

The Twilight of Rome's Papal Nobility details the life of Agnese Borghese Boncompagni Ludovisi (1836–1920), one of the last matriarchs of the Borghese Boncompagni Ludovisi clan, a family which, through marriage, combined two of the most powerful papal households in Italian history. The book, written by her eldest son Ugo and originally published in 1921 as Ricordi di mia madre (Memories of My Mother), details Agnese's personal life: her childhood, her married life, the raising of her children, and the years leading up to her death. It also covers her public life and the many historical events that shaped the future of her family and her country. In the book's pages, Ugo draws on his own memories, as well as diaries and letters written by Agnese, to give us insight into the years of the Italian risorgimento, when Italy finally achieved unification and, as a consequence, the Roman Catholic church lost much of its power. This first-ever English translation by Carol Cofone, and featuring introductory remarks from HSH Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi and T. Corey Brennan, provides an invaluable first-person account of this history and culture in a story that is rich, complex, and increasingly relevant for today's world.

About this title

About the Author

UGO BONCOMPAGNI LUDOVISI (1856–1935) was the eldest son of Rodolfo Boncompagni Ludovisi and Agnese Borghese Boncompagni Ludovisi. A twice-widowed husband and father of five children, he was the founder of the Scacciadiavoli winery and progenitor of the current Boncompagni Ludovisi dynasty. Following the death of his second wife, he joined the priesthood and ultimately held the influential position of Vice Camerlengo at the Vatican.

CAROL COFONE is a translator and assistant director of the digital humanities project Archivio Digitale Boncompagni Ludovisi.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1978840861
• ISBN 13: 9781978840867
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 334