Alberoni

Alberoni, Giulio, 1664-1752, Italian statesman in Spanish service, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Appointed (1713) representative of the duke of Parma at the court of Philip V of Spain, Alberoni gained influence and ultimately became de facto prime minister. With the princesse des Ursins he arranged the marriage of the king with Elizabeth Farnese. His aims were to strengthen Spain, nullify the Peace of Utrecht (see Utrecht, Peace of), and crush Austrian hegemony in Italy. The expeditions by which he recovered Sardinia from Austria (1717) and Sicily from Savoy (1718) provoked Britain, the Netherlands, France, and Austria to form the Quadruple Alliance. Spain was forced to yield, and Philip dismissed and banished (1719) Alberoni, who retired to Rome. He later became papal legate in the Romagna and in Bologna.

Alberoni as a surname is an uncommon family name. It has been found in less than 200 families most with heritage in the province of Piacenza (Italy).

People with the surname Alberoni

• Francesco Alberoni (born 1929), Italian sociologist and journalist
• Giulio Alberoni (1664-1752), Italian cardinal and statesman
• Paolo Alberoni, (born 1963), Italian financier and businessman
• Sherry Alberoni (born 1946), American actress and voice artist