Origins & Early Life

Cesare Lombroso ( lom-BROH-soh, US also lawm-; Italian: [ˈtʃeːzare lomˈbroːzo, ˈtʃɛː-, -oːso]; born Ezechia Marco Lombroso; 6 November 1835 – 19 October 1909) was an Italian eugenicist, criminologist, phrenologist, physician, and founder of the Italian school of criminology. He is considered the founder of modern criminology by changing the Western notions of individual responsibility. Lombroso rejected the established classical school, which held that crime was a characteristic trait of human nature. Instead, using concepts drawn from physiognomy, degeneration theory, psychiatry, and Social Darwinism, Lombroso's theory of anthropological criminology essentially stated that criminality was inherited, and that someone "born criminal" could be identified by physical (congenital) defects, which confirmed a criminal as savage or atavistic.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Lombroso was born in Verona, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, on 6 November 1835 to a wealthy Jewish family. His father was Aronne Lombroso, a tradesman from Verona, and his mother was Zeffora (or Zefira) Levi from Chieri near Turin. Cesare Lombroso descended from a line of rabbis, which led him to study a wide range of topics...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adah Isaacs Menken — Contemporary (Born in 1835) (1835): American actress, painter, and poet known for sensational stage performances.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Contemporary (Born in 1835) (1835): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Andrew Carnegie — Contemporary (Born in 1835) (1835): Scottish-American industrialist who pioneered the American steel industry and became a major philanthropist.
• Albert R. Broccoli — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• Barry Goldwater — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Conservative Senator and Presidential Nominee who championed modern American conservatism.
• Benny Goodman — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering jazz clarinetist, bandleader, and the celebrated 'King of Swing'.
• Alfred F. Young — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Charles Garnier (architect) — Shared historical date (11-06 · Born) (1825): Master architect renowned for the opulent Palais Garnier and Parisian opera houses.
• Angus Deaton — Shared historical date (10-19 · Born) (1945): Influential economist specializing in poverty, inequality, and consumption analysis.
• Benjamin Banneker — Shared historical date (10-19 · Died) (1806): Self-taught polymath, surveyor, and advocate for racial equality in early America.
• 1835 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1835
• November 6 (11-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 6
• 1909 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1909
• October 19 (10-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 19