Antonino D’Antona was born in Riesi (Caltanisetta) on December 18th 1842 by Antonino and Concetta Debilio. After completing his classical studies in Sicily and after enrolling at the University of Palermo, where he attended the first four years of the medical course, he moved to Naples. He was guided since childhood by the care of a paternal uncle, the archpriest Gaetano D'Antona, who also followed him in the years of his university education. Antonino only had one child: Carlo D’Antona. He lived in Rome in Villino Durante.