Riccardo, Duca Carafa d'Andria

From an aristocratic Neapolitan family, Riccardo, Duke Carafa d’Andria attended the Military Academy in Naples, after which he joined the cavalry. But he quickly left for the reserves and devoted himself to a writing career. Duke Carafa d’Andria was not a founding IOC Member as he joined the IOC in December 1894 after the resignation of Ferdinando, Count Lucchesi Palli. However, he met Pierre de Coubertin at that time in Naples, and de Coubertin co-opted him onto the IOC, with Carafa d’Andria promising to support Italian participation at the 1896 Olympics, something which did not occur to any degree. He resigned from the IOC in November 1898, not having attended any IOC Sessions.

The reason for his resignation was his desire to pursue a political career and give up his literary activity. He first joined the Catholic Party in 1902, becoming President of a Regional Council, but in 1904 he joined the Liberal Party and was appointed to the Senate. He supported Italy’s plans to establish colonies in Africa and fought in the Libyan campaign in 1911.