Violet Gibson
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Violet Gibson, the sister of Baron Ashbourne, is best known for shooting Benito Mussolini. She shot Italy's Fascist leader in the middle of the street on 7 April 1926. Gibson attacked Mussolini as he left an assembly of physicians, to whom he had delivered a speech on the wonders of modern medicine. The bullet passed through both of Mussolini's nostrils. Gibson was almost lynched on the spot by an angry mob, but police intervened and took her off for questioning. Mussolini was wounded only slightly and after his nose was bandaged he continued his parade.
At the time of the assassination attempt Violet Gibson was 50 years old and did not explain her reason for trying to assassinate Mussolini. It has been theorised that Gibson was insane at the time of the attack and the idea of assassinating Mussolini was given to her by an unknown third party. Gibson was later deported to Britain after being released without charge at the request of Mussolini.
