Umberto Merlin | |
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Minister of Public Works | |
In office 18 January 1954 – 9 February 1954 | |
Prime Minister | Amintore Fanfani |
In office 17 August 1953 – 17 January 1954 | |
Prime Minister | Giuseppe Pella |
Minister of Post and Telecommunications | |
In office 16 July 1953 – 16 August 1953 | |
Prime Minister | Alcide De Gasperi |
In office 31 May 1947 – 23 May 1948 | |
Prime Minister | Alcide De Gasperi |
Personal details | |
Born | Rovigo | 17 February 1885
Died | 22 May 1964 Padua | (aged 79)
Nationality | Italian |
Political party |
Italian Popular Party Christian Democracy |
Spouse | Maria Vittoria Lorenzoni |
Children | 4 |
Alma mater | University of Padua |
Umberto Merlin (1885–1964) was an Italian lawyer and Christian Democrat politician who held several cabinet posts in the 1940s and 1950s.
Merlin was born in Rovigo on 17 February 1885. [1] He was president of the Catholic Youth Club of St. Francis Association. [2] In 1903 he became the Veneto regional president of the Association. In 1906 he obtained a degree in law from the University of Padua. [2]
Following his graduation Merlin worked as a lawyer. [2] He participated in World War I with the rank of lieutenant. [2] He was a cofounder the Italian Popular Party, [3] [4] but during the Fascist rule he did not involve in politics. [2] After World War II Merlin resumed his political activities and joined the Christian Democracy Party. [2] He was elected as one of the 60 national councilors of the Christian Democrats in the congress held in Rome on 24–27 April 1946. [2] The same year he was elected deputy to the Constituent Assembly. [2] In 1947 Merlin was named as the general secretary of the party. [1] In 1948 he became a senator and served in the first four legislatures. [2] He served as the minister of posts and telecommunications in the cabinet led by Alcide De Gasperi between 31 May 1947 and 23 May 1948. [2] He also served in the same post in the cabinet headed again by Alcide De Gasperi from 16 July to 16 August 1953. [2] He was the minister of public works in the cabinet led by Giuseppe Pella (17 August 1953 – 17 January 1954) and in the first cabinet of Amintore Fanfani (18 January–9 February 1954). [2] Then he served in the municipal and provincial council of Polesine. [2]
Merlin married Maria Vittoria Lorenzoni with whom he had four children. [2] He died of a heart attack in Padua on 22 May 1964. [1] [4]