Count Camillo Benso di Cavour was an Italian statesman and a key figure in the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Born on August 10, 1810, in Turin, he became the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Cavour was known for his diplomatic skills and modernizing policies, which helped strengthen the economy and military of his region. Cavour played a crucial role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification. He formed strategic alliances, notably with France, to defeat the Austrian Empire, which controlled much of northern Italy. His efforts ultimately led to the establishment of a unified Italy in 1861, making him one of the nation's founding fathers.