His father was a professor of civil architecture in Genoa and his mother was from a family of merchants doing business in Amsterdam.

At the age of eleven he entered the church school at Genoa, where he did well in classical studies and showing a strong taste for literature.

In 1788 Corvetto married Anna Schiaffino in Geneo, from a well-known trading family.

[1] Corvetto supported the French Revolution, and in 1797 was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board of the Ligurian Republic.

[2] Under the Bourbon Restoration Corvetto was appointed Minister of Finance, holding office from 26 September 1815 to 7 December 1818.