born on 30 july 1781 in palazzo adriano to the crispi family, he studied at the seminary of palermo, under nicola chetta. francesco, son of his brother tommaso, served as prime minister of italy in 1887–91 and 1893-6. on 26 may 1808 giuseppe crispi was ordained as an eastern catholic priest. he was a professor of ancient greek literature at the university of palermo, a rector of the seminary of palermo and a ritual bishop of lampsaco from 1836, when he succeeded francesco chiarchiaro, also from palazzo adriano, to his death on 10 september 1859. in palermo, a street has been named in his honour ("via giuseppe crispi").