Educated at the Liceo Cicognini, D'Annunzio was already an accomplished poet while still a youth. In 1879, he published his first poems, Primo Vere, at the age of 16. He attended the University of Rome and joined many literary groups. At this time, he also contributed articles to newspapers. He married in 1883 and, until his divorce in 1891, wrote numerous short stories and his first novel, The Child of Pleasure (1889). His best known novel, The Triumph of Death, appeared in 1894. He was elected to parliament in 1897, but was defeated for re-election in 1900. Because of overwhelming debt, he fled to France in 1910. He returned to Italy in 1914 and joined the air force, becoming one of Italy's most celebrated war-time heroes and losing an eye in a flying accident. During the 1920's and 1930's, D'Annunzio was a staunch supporter of Mussolini. In 1924, he became Prince of Monte Nevoso and in 1937 was named as president of the Italian Royal Academy. D'Annunzio died of a stroke while working at his desk. His other works include Tales of My Native Town (1886), San Pantaleone (1886), The Victim (1891), The Dead City (1898), The Fame of Life (1900), The Daughter of Jorio (1904), The Honeysuckle (1913), The Children's Crusade (1920), Nocturne (1921) and Cento E Cento (1935). |
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