Hermann Kanzler

Hermann Kanzler (28 March 1822, Weingarten, Grand Duchy of Baden – 6 January 1888, Rome, Kingdom of Italy) was a German general who commanded the Army of the Papal States and was the arms minister during the reign of Pope Pius IX.

The first major commitments came in 1867 when outbreaks of revolt were stirred up inside the Eternal City which, although not having the desired effects in the Roman population, produced the attack on the Serristori Barracks, the insurrection at the Ajani Wool Mill, severely repressed, and Garibaldi's raid with the clash at Villa Glori.

However, the victory of Mentana did not reassure the proministro about the future, so much so that he continued tirelessly in strengthening the papal army with new enlistments and works in the fortification of the walls of both the Leonine City and the Castel S. Angelo.

After the taking of Porta Pia, at the age of 48, Kanzler's career was over; he decided to stay in Rome with his family, continuing to maintain the now honorific position of proministro delle Armi.

The following year, suffering from a sore on his foot, Kanzler died, peacefully and with all religious comforts, surrounded by his family, including his son Rudolf who would become one of the most famous archaeologists of ancient Rome.