Back to Table of Contents
Next: Ancestor Tree of Anthony Campagna
Page 250: Campagna Made Italian Count – New York Builder Is Honored for Gifts to Education and Social Work – The New York Sun, Tuesday c. 1930
Anthony Campagna, New York builder and naturalized American citizen, has been made a count by the King of Italy. The rank is next to that of a marquis and is believed to be the first of its kind ever conferred upon an American.
The King signed the decree March 31, 1930. It was delivered to Mr. Campagna by the Italian Embassy in the United States December 23, but the announcement was suppressed by this Count’s request and was not made public until today.
The degree was conferred “motu proprio,” or by the King’s own initiative, in recognition of the American’s philanthropies in both his adopted and native lands.
The title is hereditary and the decree conferring it carries the rare provisions that it shall pass to both of Mr. Campagna’s sons upon his death. Thereafter only the first son in each line shall inherit it.
Sons to Inherit Title.
Mr. Campagna was born December 31, 1884, in Castelmezzano, a small town near Naples. His full title probably will be Conte de Castelmezzano, or Count of Castelmezzano. Until they inherit the title, his sons may be called by names which mean literally “of the Count,” such as Giuseppe de Castelmezzano and Giovanni de Castelmezzano. Giuseppi, whose American name is Joseph, is a junior at Princeton University. Giovanni, or John, is a senior at Riverdale Preparatory School.
Mrs. Campagna becomes Countess. With the honor the family received an official crest – a green field for country symbolizing Campagna on a shield with a comet rising into a blue sky, surmounting the shield a crown with nine points to signify the owner is a count, and over all a plumed helmet.
When he was 17 years old Mr. Campagna lost his father by death and thereafter worked his own way through school. He was admitted to the bar in Italy after being graduated from the law school at the University of Naples. Shortly afterward he came to America at the request of friends in Chicago to edit the Italian newspaper L’Idea there. While still very young he moved to New York and resumed the study of law at New York University, attending night classes.
He worked days for Paterno Brothers, builders, who prevailed upon him to give up law in favor of their business. He has erected many of New York’s famous buildings. Citizenship was conferred upon him in 1914.
[Carla’s note: Anthony and the Paterno brothers were second cousins once removed. Anthony’s grandmother Maria Trivigno Campagna and Carolina Trivigno Paterno, mother of the Paterno brothers, were sisters. Anthony married his second cousin Marie Stella Paterno. More information about these relationships HERE.]
Gives to Many Projects.
He was one of the founders of the Casa Italiana at Columbia University and among many other philanthropies in his native country was endowment of the National Historic Institute, now known as the Campagna Foundation. He contributed to the restoration of Virgil’s tomb in Naples.
He contributed to the relief of children in the two provinces which Austria relinquished to Italy and at present he is building a modern school in Castelmezzano in agreement with the Government.
The new Count, with his close-cropped black mustache, flashing eyes, alert and determined features, quiet dress, plans great buildings, behind a door with the simple legend “Anthony Campagna, Builder.” He has not yet been received at the Italian Court.
“I shall have to buy a book on it,” he said.
Back to Table of Contents
Next: Ancestor Tree of Anthony Campagna
