Of aristocratic origins – Notarbartolo being one of the most prominent families of Sicilian nobility and his grandfather being Francesco Paolo, Prince of Sciara – he took part to Giuseppe Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand and became a distinguished member of the Historical Right. He served as the Mayor of Palermo and as Director General of Banco di Sicilia (Bank of Sicily). The integrity he demonstrated in his public offices, in particular at the Banco di Sicilia, ultimately cost him his life.