Scipione Borghese

Scipione Borghese (1871–1927), also known as the 10th Prince of Sulmona, was an Italian aristocrat whose public life stretched far beyond his title. Sources consistently describe him as an industrialist, politician, explorer, mountain climber, and racing driver, making him the kind of figure who seems larger than life even in brief outline.

He is most closely linked with the 1907 Peking-to-Paris race, a landmark event in early motoring. That feat helped make his name internationally known, and book records connect him with editions of the journey published through Project Gutenberg and listed by The Online Books Page, including versions of Peking-Paris im Automobil and Van Peking naar Parijs per auto.

For readers, Borghese is interesting not simply as a nobleman, but as a participant in one of the great adventure stories of the early automobile age. His work sits at the crossroads of travel narrative, endurance, and modernity, capturing a moment when crossing continents by car still felt almost impossible.