Andrea Doria

Andrea Doria, Prince of Melfi (Italian: [anˈdrɛːa ˈdɔːrja]; Ligurian: Drîa Döia [ˈdɾiːa ˈdɔːja]; 30 November 1466 – 25 November 1560) was an Italian statesman, condottiero, and admiral, who played a key role in the Republic of Genoa during his lifetime.

From 1528 until his death, Doria exercised a predominant influence in the councils of the Genoese republic, and was considered the foremost naval leader in Europe at his time. He became Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's grand admiral, a position he employed both to protect Genoa's independence and to maintain his own control over the city. He also acted as a privateer with the ships he owned in order to increase his wealth. His fleet helped secure the imperial naval lines between Spain and Italy, although he had a mixed success against the eminent threat of the Ottoman navy.

As the ruler of Genoa, Doria reformed the Republic's constitution. Originally elected for life, the Doge's office was reduced to two years. At the same time, plebeians were declared ineligible, and the appointment of the doge was entrusted to the members of the great and the little councils. His reformed constitution of the Republic of Genoa would last until the end of the republic in 1797.

Several ships were named in honour of the admiral, the most famous being the Italian passenger liner SS Andrea Doria, launched in 1951, which sank following a collision in 1956.