panizzi was born at brescello in the duchy of modena and reggio (now the province of reggio emilia), italy, on 16 september 1797. he studied at the lyceum of reggio, then obtained a degree in law from the university of parma in 1818. he was appointed as inspector of public schools at brescello. it was during this time that a charge was brought against panizzi that he was a carbonaro, that is, a member of a secret society that opposed the current political regime. the evidence would suggest that the accusation was true.