Maximilian Ferdinand Bonzano (March 22, 1821—May 23, 1894), was a German-born American government official, politician, and physician in Louisiana.

In 1835, he emigrated from Germany to the United States with some members of his family, eventually settling in New Orleans, Louisiana after briefly living in Texas.

[2] His first occupation in New Orleans was as a "roller boy" at a printshop called William McKean and Co., and through this experience he helped publish the first issue of The Picayune newspaper in 1835, working alongside journalists Francis Asbury Lumsden and George Wilkins Kendall.

[13] During the war Bonzano felt a stronger sense of national allegiance and duty, and started to occupy other government leadership roles.

[7] The emancipation proclamation in September 1862 was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, effectively freeing enslaved Black people in the South.

[14][15] An emancipation convention with delegates was formed by Banks in order navigate the intricate social and economic problems in Louisiana's Reconstruction era.

[7] Edward Henry Durell was the president of Bank's convention, and Bonzano served as a delegate and chairman alongside Rufus K. Howell and Christian Roselius.

[7] From these leadership experiences, Bonzano was chosen in 1864 as a member of the 38th United States Congress representing the first district of New Orleans.

[7][16] The House of Representatives chairman from Massachusetts, Henry L. Dawes was in agreement but Bonzano was not able to take his official seat after an assault by Alexander Pope Field and his penknife of Hon.