Few Americans realize how influential an Italian author was by inspiring the Founding Fathers and promoting concepts that became part of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The author’s name was Cesare Beccaria.

He was born in Milan in 1738, into a moderate level of the aristocracy. His father was Marchese Gian Beccaria Bonesana and his son was heir to become the Marchese or Marquis of Gualdrasco and Villareggio. Cesare received his early education in the Jesuit College at Parma.