FROM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF AGOSTINO BERENINI (LOTS 65-72)

Agostino Berenini (Parma 1858 - Rome 1939) was a prominent figure in Italy in the early 1900s. Graduated in Law and author of several publications, he traveled the path of university teaching of Criminal Law and Procedure, culminating with the rectorate of the University of Parma between 1919 and 1925. Freemason and monarchist, he successfully embarked on a political career, first as a Deputy in the ranks of the Italian Socialist Party and then in those of the Italian Socialist Reformist Party of Bissolati. The growing prestige led him to the appointment of Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Italy under the Orlando government, from 1917 to 1919, dismissing a school reform and activating a project of cultural exchanges between nations around the world. Subsequently, in 1921, he was appointed Senator at the request of the then President of the Council of Ministers Giolitti. Against fascism he was forced to resign from the office of Rector, limiting himself from that moment to practicing as a lawyer. Constantly active in his native territory and in particular in Borgo San Donnino (now Fidenza), his constituency, he was a convinced supporter of the importance of education as a fundamental moment of social progress.