He was born in Cuneo, the son of conte Cesare. He was appointed "Intendente generale" of Genoa, (4 August 1848) and made a councillor of state of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, 27 February 1852. President of the provincial council of Cuneo, his birthplace, he served as communal councillor for Turin in 1857-64 and 1866-76. As the king's lieutenant governor at Naples, it was his duty to wait upon Pope Pius IX with suggestions for papal role in the Capture of Rome, which Pius adamantly refused.