Enrico Ferri

Enrico Ferri
Enrico Ferri (1856–1929) was an Italian criminologist, socialist, and writer known for his contributions to criminal law and his influence on the Italian positivist school of criminology. He expanded on Cesare Lombroso's ideas, emphasizing the social and environmental factors contributing to crime, rather than focusing solely on biological determinism. His major works include "Criminal Sociology" (1884), where he argued that crime is a natural and social phenomenon, and "The Positive School of Criminology" (1901), which promoted the idea that criminal justice should focus on prevention and rehabilitation. Ferri also played an active role in Italian politics as a socialist, serving in Parliament.

Author's Books:


I. VIRCHOW AND HAECKEL AT THE CONGRESS OF MUNICH. On the 18th of September, 1877, Ernest Haeckel, the celebrated embryologist of Jena, delivered at the Congress of Naturalists, which was held at Munich, an eloquent address defending and propagating Darwinism, which was at that time the object of the most bitter polemical attacks. A few days afterward, Virchow, the great pathologist,—an active member... more...

I. My Friends: When, in the turmoil of my daily occupation, I received an invitation, several months ago, from several hundred students of this famous university, to give them a brief summary, in short special lectures, of the principal and fundamental conclusions of criminal sociology, I gladly accepted, because this invitation fell in with two ideals of mine. These two ideals are stirring my heart... more...