Date of Birth: November 6, 1835
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: October 19, 1909
Biography
Cesare Lombroso was an Italian criminologist, physician, and founder of the Italian School of Positivist Criminology. Born on November 6, 1835, in Verona, Lombroso is best known for his theory of the “born criminal,” which posited that criminal behavior is inherited and can be identified through physical characteristics. He served as a professor of forensic medicine and hygiene at the University of Turin and later as the director of the insane asylum at Pesaro. Lombroso’s work laid the groundwork for modern criminology, though many of his theories have since been discredited. Nonetheless, his contributions to the study of criminal behavior and his pioneering methods in forensic science have left a lasting impact on the field.
5 Interesting Facts about Cesare Lombroso
1. Cesare Lombroso is often considered the father of modern criminology.
2. He introduced the concept of atavistic stigmata, physical traits that he believed indicated a predisposition to criminal behavior.
3. Lombroso conducted extensive studies on the skulls of criminals, comparing them to those of non-criminals.
4. He wrote several influential books, including “L’Uomo Delinquente” (The Criminal Man).
5. Despite the controversy surrounding his theories, Lombroso’s work helped shift the focus of criminology from a purely legalistic perspective to one incorporating biological and psychological factors.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cesare Lombroso
1. “Genius is one of the many forms of insanity.”
2. “The criminal is an atavistic being who reproduces in his person the ferocious instincts of primitive humanity and the inferior animals.”
3. “The appearance of the criminal type among honest men is as startling as a monster in a picture gallery.”
4. “Every criminal is a revolutionist in his way.”
5. “A criminal is no longer, as before, a man who has broken the law, but a wild beast who has broken out of his cage.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
There is no recorded net worth for Cesare Lombroso, as he lived in the 19th century when such records were not commonly kept for academics.
Children
Cesare Lombroso had five children with his wife, Nina De Benedetti: Gina, Paola, Silvia, Arnaldo, and Lionella.
Relevant Links
1. [Cesare Lombroso – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesare_Lombroso
3. [Theories of Cesare Lombroso](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cesare-Lombroso
5. [Lombroso and the Born Criminal – JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/660849