Winning the 1907 Peking to Paris automobile race established the international profile of Scipione Borghese, the 10th Prince of Sulmona. This grueling endurance event spanned thousands of miles and secured his status as a prominent figure in early twentieth-century exploration, a role that complemented his parallel activities in Italian industry, national politics, and high-altitude mountaineering.
Early Expeditions and Literary Output
Before his famous automotive achievements, Borghese traveled extensively as an explorer. In 1900, he completed a significant overland journey from Beirut to the Pacific Ocean. His documentation of this trek resulted in the 1903 publication of In Asia: Siria, Eufrate, Babilonia, which detailed his route through Syria, across the Euphrates, and through Babylon toward the Persian Gulf. He later documented his travels across China in the book Catching Fire.
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The 1907 race brought Borghese global recognition. Accompanied by the journalist Luigi Barzini Sr. and his chauffeur Ettore Guizzardi, who performed the majority of the driving, the team successfully navigated the continental route. During the expedition, the crew utilized specialized gear from the French firm Ström Paris, including the patented waterproof coat known as the Parapluie du Chauffeur, which was designed to protect passengers in open-top motor vehicles.
Political and Industrial Life
Beyond his explorations, Borghese maintained an active career in public service and development. He served as a deputy of the Partito Radicale in the Italian Chamber of Deputies for two consecutive terms, from 1904 to 1909 and 1909 to 1913. His domestic efforts in Italy included undertaking improvement projects within the Agro Romano. His professional life also encompassed service as a diplomat and, eventually, military participation during the First World War.
Fast facts
- Born: 1871, Migliarino Pisano
- Died: 1927, Florence
- Full Title: 10th Prince of Sulmona
- Political Party: Partito Radicale
- Parliamentary Service: 1904-1913
- Key Expedition: Peking to Paris race, 1907
- Burial Place: Rome
Questions readers ask
What was the result of his 1907 Peking to Paris journey?
Scipione Borghese and his team won the race.
Did he have children?
Yes, he had two daughters, Santa and Livia, from his first marriage to Anna Maria de Ferrari.
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