Giorgio Mitrovich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Giorgio Mitrovich
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Only known photograph of Maltese patriot Giorgio Mitrovich, shot by photographer Leandro Preziosi shortly before his death in 1885
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| Born | 27 August 1795 |
| Died | 13 March 1885 (aged 89) Valletta, Crown Colony of Malta
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| Resting place | Addolorata Cemetery, Paola |
| Nationality | Maltese |
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Giorgio Mitrovich (born 1795, died 1885) was a Maltese hero and politician. He is famous for fighting for freedom of the press in Malta. This meant people could print what they thought without government approval. He helped start a group called the Comitato Generale Maltese. In 1832, he helped write a request that led to a new set of rules for Malta in 1835. He visited London many times to tell British leaders about problems in Malta. His trip in 1835 led to a special group suggesting that censorship (controlling what is printed) should stop. This happened in 1839. He was also a member of the government council for a short time in the 1850s.
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Early Life of Giorgio Mitrovich
Mitrovich was born on 27 August 1795 in Senglea, Malta. He was baptized a day later. His parents were Saverio Mitrovich and Adeodata Boldoni. His grandfather, also named Giorgio Mitrovich, came from Kotor. He arrived in Malta in the 1770s. His grandfather became a successful privateer, which was like a legal pirate.
During Mitrovich's childhood, Malta went through big changes. The Knights of St. John had ruled Malta for centuries. But in 1798, the French invaded. The French rule led to an uprising and a blockade. Malta then became a British protectorate in 1800. By 1813, it was a British colony.
Mitrovich had connections with English families from a young age. His father was in the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment. Giorgio worked as a clerk for two English businesses. Later, he started his own business, but it did not do well.
Fighting for Press Freedom in Malta
When the British first ruled Malta, there was no freedom of the press. This meant people could not easily share their opinions. It was also hard for Maltese people to help run the islands. Only a few places could print things. The only newspaper was the Malta Government Gazette. Mitrovich strongly believed in press freedom. He wanted Maltese people to be able to express themselves. He admired the British and did not want Malta to be independent.
Mitrovich helped start the Comitato Generale Maltese. This group included elected representatives from different jobs. It also had members of the clergy and noble families. Camillo Sceberras led this committee.
The 1832 Petition for Reforms
In 1832, Mitrovich and four others from the committee wrote a petition. It was called the 1832 Memorial. They asked for changes in how Malta was governed. They wanted a Consiglio Popolare, a national council. This council would have about 30 members chosen by the upper classes of Malta.
King William IV gave Malta a new constitution in 1835. This set up a Council of Seven to help the government. However, the Governor still had the final say. Many Maltese liberals were not happy with this.
Mitrovich's Trips to London
In July 1835, Mitrovich went to London. He wanted to make British politicians aware of Malta's problems. While there, he published a pamphlet. It was called The claims of the Maltese founded upon the principles of Justice. In it, he listed the rights and complaints of the Maltese people. He said that Englishmen were taking jobs from Maltese people. He also claimed they were getting high salaries while Maltese people were poor.
He wrote about the government in Malta:
The present Lieutenant Governor, Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, is an excellent man, but he is surrounded by persons interested in maintaining and perpetuating the present unpopular system. His disposition, I have no doubt, is good, but he is placed in a very difficult position.
Mitrovich also wrote a message to the Maltese people. It was called Indirizzo ai Maltesi da parte del loro amico Giorgio Mitrovich attualmente a Londra. This message was printed and sent to Malta in November 1835.
He wrote:
The English nation was surprised to hear from me about the misery, suffering and repression under which our beloved country is groaning. Many famous people of high standing in this metropolis and other places in England are moved by sentiments of justice and generosity towards the Maltese and have agreed to support in a valid manner our representations in the House of Commons, an august assembly of the fathers of the country, and be sure that we shall be heard.
Mitrovich met William Ewart, a Member of Parliament. Ewart helped him talk with Lord Glenelg, a Secretary of State. Ewart also promoted Malta's interests among other MPs. On 11 June 1836, Ewart presented a petition to Parliament. It was signed by 2,359 Maltese people.
Success and Royal Commission
Mitrovich's efforts worked. The British decided to send a Royal Commission to Malta. This group would look into how the islands were governed. The Commission arrived in 1836 and stayed for two years. They suggested that press censorship should end. The government then passed a law on 14 March 1839 to make this happen.
Mitrovich visited London several more times. Between 1838 and 1840, he went to protect the rights Malta had gained. These trips likely cost him a lot of money. He probably spent most of his savings. Other Maltese liberals might have given him some financial help.
Political Career and Later Life
Malta's first election was in 1849. This happened after a new constitution replaced the 1835 one. Mitrovich ran in this election. However, he only received 26 votes out of 3,056.
Later, he got a seat in the Council of Government. This happened in April 1855 when Sir Ignatio Bonavita resigned. Mitrovich won a special election with 1,050 votes. He became a council member on 5 June 1855. He resigned about a year later. He did this to protest a resolution proposed by Giancomo Pantaleone Bruno.
Mitrovich continued to fight for Malta's rights. In 1858, he sent a petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He tried to change the council by forming a national committee. This effort did not last long.
Final Years and Death
Mitrovich lived in poverty during his later years. He had a family of twelve children. He died on 13 March 1885 at his home in Valletta. His funeral was three days later. He was buried at the Addolorata Cemetery in Paola.
Legacy of Giorgio Mitrovich
Many people see Mitrovich as a patriot. He worked hard to make life better for the Maltese people. Some people thought he was more interested in himself. Others thought he was a political agent. But no matter his reasons, his work helped lead to important changes for Malta.
Mitrovich is not very well known in Malta today. Some say he has been "forgotten." There are no big monuments to him. His grave is also in poor condition. However, in 1985, a postage stamp was issued for 100 years since his death. A square in Senglea and some streets are named after him.
Some of Mitrovich's family now live in South Africa. They use the last name Metrovich. In 2018, two of his great-great-grandchildren donated his only known photograph. This photo was taken by Leandro Preziosi just before Mitrovich died.
