NCJ Number
12396
Date Published
1973
Length
191 pages
Annotation
BIOGRAPHY OF BECCARIA, ITALIAN AUTHOR OF 'ON CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT' (1764) AND MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO MEDIEVAL CRIMINAL LAW REFORM.
Abstract
BECCARIA'S LIFE IS TRACED FROM HIS ARISTOCRATIC ORIGINS IN MILAN THROUGH HIS DEVELOPMENT AS AN INFLUENCIAL AND WELL-KNOWN HUMANIST IN HIS OWN ERA. BECCARIA ARGUED FOR A HUMANE LEGAL SYSTEM, PROPOSING THAT TRIALS BE PROMPT, AND THAT PUNISHMENTS BE FAIR, IMPARTIAL, AND COMMENSURATE TO CRIMES. HE WAS ONE OF THE EARLY LEADING OPPONENTS OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. HIS IDEAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF STATESMEN AND RULERS OF THE DAY IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. POSSESSING WIDE-RANGING INTERESTS, HE DID PIONEERING WORK IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL, ANTICIPATING THE IDEAS OF MALTHUS AND ADAM SMITH IN ECONOMICS, AND EXPLORING MATTERS LIKE POPULATION AND CONSERVATION. INCLUDED IN THE BIOGRAPHY ARE DETAILS OF HIS CONTACTS WITH OTHER GREAT MEN OF HIS DAY, AND PASSAGES FROM HIS WRITINGS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)