Luigi Lucheni was an Italian anarchist who assassinated the Austrian Empress, Elisabeth (commonly referred to as Sissi, Viennese for Elisabeth), in 1898. Lucheni believed in propaganda of the deed, a philosophy advocating spreading beliefs through violent direct action.

Given her rebellious nature, Elisabeth often refused the aid of police and bodyguards and she was adored by the populace in general. While the Empress and her lady-in-waiting were boarding a steamship to Montreux on 10 September 1898 in Geneva, Lucheni ran over to the former and slammed his body against hers, penetrating her chest with a sharp needle file (which is now part of the Vienna Sisi Museum's exhibition). Not realising she was hurt, because of her extremely tight corset, and wanting to board as quickly as possible, Elisabeth got to her feet straightaway and walked onto the ship, where she later collapsed and died.

At his trial, Lucheni openly admitted to his crime, and at the age of 25, was sentenced to life in prison. After his memoirs were confiscated by prison guards, he was found hanged in his cell by his belt on 19 October 1910, apparently a suicide.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... gi_Lucheni View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Anarchists • 1890s • Crime • Geneva • Industrial Revolution • Italy • Switzerland • People