Gianfranco Contini

My name is Gianfranco Contini, and I was an Italian philologist. I was born in Domodossola in 1912 and studied at the Liceo Classico at Collegio Mellerio Rosmini. Later, I graduated in literature from the University of Pavia and continued my studies in Turin, where I met young intellectuals working with the Einaudi publishing house. I taught at prestigious universities such as the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the University of Florence, and the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. I was also in charge of the Philological Studies Center of the Accademia della Crusca and became president of the Società Dantesca Italiana. Throughout my life, I worked to spread literary knowledge and built strong relationships with some of the most important Italian cultural figures of the 20th century. As a young man, I was also involved in politics as an anti-fascist and a member of the Action Party. When the Republic of Ossola was declared, I left my position in Fribourg and returned to Domodossola. There, I joined the Educational Commission of the Partisan Republic’s Government, working alongside literature professor Carlo Calcaterra. Our goal was to create a public school system that was free, democratic, and open to everyone. In 1970, I suffered a stroke. Despite this, I continued my work. In 1987, I moved back to Domodossola, where friends and students visited me in my home in San Quirico. I remained dedicated to my studies until my passing on 2nd February, 1990.