Charles Carmine Antonio Baldi is one of the most prominent Pennsylvanians and Philadelphians from the 19th century.

However, his connection to Taylor Swift is one of the newer developments to his prominence, writes Avi Wolfman-Arent for Billy Penn at WHYY.

Baldi’s story can be referred to as a classic immigrant-success tale.

Upon arriving to Philadelphia in 1877 as a fruit peddler, Baldi eventually created a business empire that eventually included a funeral home and bank. He also launched L’Opinione, Philadelphia’s first Italian-language newspaper.

As Italian immigration to Philly peaked during the early 1900s, Baldi became a titan within the growing community, especially in South Philly.

Over the following years, Baldi amassed property, doled out jobs, and helped deliver votes for the city’s Republican machine.

In 1915, he was named to the city’s Board of Education.

For decades following his death, Baldi was remembered as a key figure in Philadelphia’s Italian-American community, and is even the namesake for CCA Baldi Middle School in Northeast Philadelphia.

While historians may correlate his legacy to his decades of civic leadership, or close allyship with Benito Mussolini, the younger generation may be interested in learning another key detail.

Baldi is actually global pop music star Taylor Swift’s great-great grandfather.

Read more about C.C.A. Baldi’s legacy at Billy Penn at WHYY.

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