FORTI, MICHELANGELO. – Priest and patriot, born at Cesacastina on 29 September 1798, died at Nisida in October 1856. A professor at the Seminary of Teramo and a canon of that cathedral, in 1827 he became parish priest at Tottea and then, in 1841, once again a professor at Teramo. He played a highly active part in the liberal movement that followed the uprisings of 1848; consequently, he was arrested on 9 August 1850 on charges of removing political documents, attempting to act against the government, and conspiracy, and was sentenced to 24 years to be served in the prison at Nisida. Several writings by him also survive.
BIBL.: L. Fioravanti, Don M. F., in Rivista abruzzese di scienze, lettere ed arti, 27 (1912), pp. 285–96, 429–40.
Niccolò Del Re