Matteo Trenta

(Monti di Villa, Bagni di Lucca 1 XII 1817 – 1856). Priest, scientist and patriot from Lucca. He attended the seminary in Lucca and the University of Pisa where he graduated in physics and mathematics. In 1848, he was involved in the First War of Independence as chaplain to a contingent of volunteers from Lucca. For his bravery, he was made a captain by Colonel Giuseppe Giovannetti, commander of the Tuscan expeditionary corps. Trenta was awarded the military silver medal for bravery, and he was popularly known as the “warrior monk”. On his return to Lucca, he devoted himself to the teaching of science. He died in 1856 after a short illness.