After Mussolini came to power in Italy, he was given positions in the government. On June 4, 1895, Dino Grandi, one of the highest officials of fascist Italy, was born. He was born in the small town of Mordano, located between Bologna and Ravenna, and was educated as a lawyer at the prestigious University of Bologna. Already in the mid-twenties of his life he joined Mussolini’s fascists, among whom he progressed rapidly.
After Mussolini came to power in Italy, Grandi was given positions in the government. In 1929, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Italy, and had previously conducted diplomatic affairs as Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (while Mussolini personally held that ministry). In 1932 he was appointed Italian ambassador to Great Britain, where he remained until 1939. He received the title of count from the Italian king Grandi, as count of Mordan. Upon his return to Italy, he was appointed Minister of Justice.
Grandi played a major role in 1943 when Benito Mussolini was ousted. Namely, in the Fascist Grand Council, he proposed Mussolini’s removal from power in Italy. That proposal was accepted on July 24, 1943, with 19 votes in favor and 8 against. The next day, King informed Mussolini of his dismissal and had him detained. Grandi survived World War II and later lived in exile for years. He returned to Italy only during the 1960s, and died in Bologna in 1988, at the high age of 93.
