Enrico Ferri

Enrico Ferri was an Italian criminologist, socialist, and student of Cesare Lombroso, the founder of the Italian school of criminology. While Lombroso researched the purported physiological factors that motivated criminals, Ferri investigated social and economic aspects. He served as editor of the socialist daily Avanti! and in 1884 saw his book Criminal Sociology published. Later, his work served as the basis for Penal Code of Argentina (1921). Although at first he rejected the Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, Ferri later became one of Mussolini and his National Fascist Party's main external supporters.