Marquis Dino Perrone Compagni (born 22 October 1879 in Florence – died 5 January 1950 in Florence) was a leading figure in the early years of Italian fascism.

Life

Perrone Compagni joined the Italian Army at an early age and was a career soldier. However after reaching the rank of lieutenant he was demoted to private during the First World War for incompetence. Philip Rees, '' Biographical Dictionary of the Extreme Right Since 1890'', 1990, p. 294 His first political activity was in the ''Association Italia e Vittorio Emanuele'', a minor liberal group before in November 1920 he switched to the

fascists Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology and movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy and th ...

, becoming political secretary in Florence. Given his noble background Perrone Compagni came to represent the conservative wing of fascism that looked out for the interests of landowners and magnates in opposition to the more proletarian wing that followed the rough and ready leadership of the likes of Tullio Tamburini. Perrone Compagni became an important figure as Italy stood on the brink of takeover by

Benito Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (; 29 July 188328 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 194 ...

when he was appointed one of the four commandants-general of the fascist squads. His importance was emphasised in the March on Rome when he commanded the Tuscan contingent of the fascist squadrons. Under Mussolini's government Perrone Compagni enjoyed wide power, particularly in Tuscany where he was effective head of the fascist machine. Such was his power in the region that he was given the nickname of 'Grand Duke' in Tuscany.Frank Snowden, ''The Fascist Revolution in Tuscany, 1919-22'', 2004, p. 160 His high profile made him a target for

anti-fascist Anti-fascism is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals. Beginning in European countries in the 1920s, it was at its most significant shortly before and during World War II, where the Axis powers were ...

s however and he was wounded in an ambush in Perugia not long after the takeover. He would go on to serve as

prefetto Prefect (from the Latin ''praefectus'', substantive adjectival form of ''praeficere'': "put in front", meaning in charge) is a magisterial title of varying definition, but essentially refers to the leader of an administrative area. A prefect's ...

Reggio Emilia Reggio nell'Emilia ( egl, Rèz; la, Regium Lepidi), usually referred to as Reggio Emilia, or simply Reggio by its inhabitants, and known until 1861 as Reggio di Lombardia, is a city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has abou ...

from December 1926 to January 1930 before being appointed a Minister of State in 1932. In April 1934 he was appointed to the

Italian Senate The Senate of the Republic ( it, Senato della Repubblica), or simply the Senate ( it, Senato), is the upper house of the bicameral Italian Parliament (the other being the Chamber of Deputies). The two houses together form a perfect bicameral sy ...

and in 1938 he secured the expulsion of his rival

Carlo Scorza Carlo Scorza (15 June 1897 – 23 December 1988) was a prominent member of the National Fascist Party of Italy during World War II. He built his reputation in the Italian Fascist paramilitary group known as the Blackshirts, and later rose to the ...

from that body. This was to be his last action of note as he disappeared into obscurity during the Second World War and took no role in post-war politics.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perrone Compagni, Dino 1879 births 1950 deaths Italian fascists Italian military personnel of World War I Margraves of Italy Nobility from Florence Politicians from Florence