Camillo Benso statue, close-up. The Italian statesman and Count of Cavour, Camillo Benso (1810-1861), together with Giuseppe Garibaldi, brought about the unification of Italy. Cavour took a keen interest in agriculture and finance, and believed that economic reconstruction should precede political change. He also promoted free trade and modernisation of industry. In 1852 he became Premier of the Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont-Sardinia) and developed and modernised that state's agriculture, communications and army. He promoted public works on a massive scale and constituted the National Bank, laying the economic and political foundations of modern Italy. In 1861, Cavour became the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.