Francesco Branciforte

Francesco Branciforte Barresi (15 March 1575 – 23 February 1622) was an aristocrat, Marquis of Militello and 4th prince of Butera, as well as a notable patron of the arts and sciences in Sicily.

He was raised in Spain, in the household of his paternal grandmother Dorotea Barresi Santapau, married to the Prince of Pietraperzia.

Francesco spent much of his life in Militello, marrying Giovanna d'Austria, daughter of John of Austria.

In 1622, he traveled to Messina to meet the newly appointed Spanish viceroy, Emanuel Philibert of Savoy.

His daughter, Margherita Branciforte (1604–1659), married Federico Colonna (1601–1641), but her only offspring died in infancy.