Victor Emmanuel II was the King of Sardinia from 1849 to 1861 and then became the first King of a united Italy from 1861 until his death in 1878. He played a crucial role in the unification of Italy and was known for his leadership during this period of significant political change. His reign saw the consolidation of various Italian states into a single nation, and he is often remembered as one of the key figures in the creation of modern Italy.