Umberto I ( Umberto Rainerio Carlo Emanuele Giovanni Maria Ferdinando Eugene of Savoy , Turin , March 14, 1844 - Monza , July 29, 1900 ) was King of Italy from 1878 to 1900. The son of Vittorio Emanuele II , first king of Italy , and Maria Adelaide of Austria , delRegno Queen of Sardinia , who died in 1855 . His reign was marked by several events , which produced opinions and conflicting feelings . The monarch is positively remembered by some for his attitude demonstrated in facing disasters such as the cholera epidemic in Naples in 1884 , personally lavishing in relief ( so it was nicknamed " Good King " ) , and for the promulgation of the so-called Zanardelli code that brought some innovations in the criminal code , such as the abolition of the death penalty . ( Continued)