Michele Coppino (1 April 1822 – 25 April 1901) was an Italian professor and politician.

Biography

Coppino was born to a poor family in Alba, Piedmont, where he later died. He was professor of Italian literature at the University of Turin and rector of the same from 1868 to 1870, when he moved to Rome (which had been declared capital of the unification of Italy, Kingdom of Italy) to follow his political roles. Coppino participated to the elections for the Chamber of Deputies of the Kingdom of Sardinia for the first time in 1857, but was defeated at the ballot. He was elected in 1860 and re-elected to the first legislature of the Italian Chamber of Deputies one year later. He was subsequently a member of the Italian Parliament for some 40 years, interrupted, and twice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, President of the Chamber (both times succeeding Domenico Farini). Coppino was Minister of Education in the two first Agostino Depretis, Depretis cabinets (1876-1878). He introduced the so-called ''Legge Coppino'' ("Coppino Law"), which made elementary schools mandatory and free of charge, with, in particular, no religious teaching. He was again Minister of Education under Depretis and Francesco Crispi, Crispi between 1884 and 1888. Laws issued during his tenure include one for economical support for teachers, reorganization of kindergartens and of classic instructions.

Sources

Page at ''Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani''
by Enciclopedia Italiana, biography by G. Talamo

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coppino, Michele 1822 births 1901 deaths People from the Province of Alessandria People from the Kingdom of Sardinia Historical Left politicians Education ministers of Italy Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Italy) Deputies of Legislature VIII of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature IX of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature X of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XI of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XII of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XIII of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XIV of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XV of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XVI of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XVII of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XVIII of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XIX of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XX of the Kingdom of Italy Deputies of Legislature XXI of the Kingdom of Italy Politicians of Piedmont