# Errico Malatesta

> anarchist (1853-1932)

**Wikidata**: [Q215673](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q215673)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errico_Malatesta)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/errico-malatesta

## Summary
Errico Malatesta (1853–1932) was an Italian anarchist, revolutionary, and writer who played a pivotal role in the international anarchist movement. Known for his activism, journalism, and theoretical contributions, he co-founded the anarchist newspaper *Umanità Nova* and was a prominent figure in the International Workingmen's Association (First International). His work shaped anarchist thought and labor movements in Europe and beyond.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 4, 1853
- **Died**: July 22, 1932
- **Nationality**: Italian (Kingdom of Italy)
- **Education**: University of Naples Federico II (affiliated institution)
- **Known for**: Anarchist activism, revolutionary organizing, and anarchist journalism
- **Employer(s)**: *Umanità Nova* (anarchist newspaper, founded 1920)
- **Field(s)**: Anarchism, journalism, labor organizing, political theory

## Contributions
- **Anarchist Journalism**: Co-founded *Umanità Nova* (1920), a leading anarchist newspaper that disseminated anarchist ideas in Italy.
- **International Workingmen's Association (First International)**: Active member (1864–1876), contributing to socialist and anarchist debates within the organization.
- **Revolutionary Activism**: Organized labor strikes, protests, and anarchist movements across Europe, advocating for workers' rights and anti-authoritarianism.
- **Writings**: Authored influential anarchist texts, including essays on direct action, anti-militarism, and collective organization.
- **Trade Union Involvement**: Worked as a trade unionist, supporting workers' struggles against capitalism and state oppression.

## FAQs
### **Who was Errico Malatesta?**
Errico Malatesta was an Italian anarchist, revolutionary, and writer who dedicated his life to advocating for workers' rights, anti-authoritarianism, and collective liberation. He was a key figure in the anarchist movement and co-founded the newspaper *Umanità Nova*.

### **What was Errico Malatesta's role in the anarchist movement?**
Malatesta was a leading theorist and organizer, contributing to anarchist journalism, labor strikes, and revolutionary activism. His work influenced anarchist thought in Italy and internationally.

### **What newspaper did Errico Malatesta found?**
He co-founded *Umanità Nova* in 1920, an anarchist newspaper that became a major voice for anarchist ideas in Italy.

### **Was Errico Malatesta part of the First International?**
Yes, he was an active member of the International Workingmen's Association (First International, 1864–1876), engaging in debates on socialism and anarchism.

### **Where was Errico Malatesta educated?**
He was affiliated with the University of Naples Federico II, one of the oldest universities in the world.

### **What were Errico Malatesta's key ideas?**
He advocated for direct action, anti-militarism, workers' self-organization, and the abolition of state authority, emphasizing collective struggle over hierarchical systems.

## Why They Matter
Errico Malatesta was a defining figure in anarchist history, bridging theory and practice through journalism, activism, and labor organizing. His work in *Umanità Nova* and the First International helped shape anarchist movements in Europe, influencing later generations of activists. His emphasis on direct action and workers' autonomy remains foundational in anarchist thought. Without his contributions, the anarchist movement in Italy and beyond would have lacked a coherent voice during a critical period of labor struggles.

## Notable For
- Co-founding *Umanità Nova* (1920), a major anarchist newspaper.
- Active membership in the International Workingmen's Association (First International).
- Leading labor strikes and anarchist organizing in Italy and Europe.
- Authoring influential anarchist essays on direct action and anti-authoritarianism.
- Being a prominent trade unionist and revolutionary in the Kingdom of Italy.

## Body

### **Early Life and Education**
Errico Malatesta was born on December 4, 1853, in the Kingdom of Italy. He was affiliated with the University of Naples Federico II, a historic institution that shaped his intellectual development. His early exposure to political thought led him toward anarchism and revolutionary activism.

### **Anarchist Activism and Journalism**
Malatesta became a central figure in the anarchist movement, advocating for workers' rights and anti-state organizing. In 1920, he co-founded *Umanità Nova*, an anarchist newspaper that became a key platform for disseminating anarchist ideas in Italy. The publication played a crucial role in mobilizing labor movements and challenging authoritarian structures.

### **Role in the First International**
Malatesta was an active member of the International Workingmen's Association (First International, 1864–1876), where he engaged in debates on socialism, anarchism, and workers' liberation. His involvement in the organization connected him to broader socialist and revolutionary networks across Europe.

### **Labor Organizing and Revolutionary Work**
As a trade unionist and revolutionary, Malatesta organized strikes, protests, and direct actions to challenge capitalism and state oppression. His work emphasized collective struggle, anti-militarism, and the abolition of hierarchical systems, influencing anarchist tactics and strategies.

### **Legacy and Influence**
Malatesta's writings and activism left a lasting impact on anarchist thought, particularly in Italy and Europe. His emphasis on direct action and workers' self-organization continues to inspire anarchist movements. His contributions to *Umanità Nova* and the First International cemented his role as a key theorist and organizer in the history of anarchism.

### **Affiliations and Connections**
- **University of Naples Federico II**: Affiliated institution where he was educated.
- **International Workingmen's Association (First International)**: Member during its active years (1864–1876).
- **Umanità Nova**: Co-founder and contributor to the anarchist newspaper (1920).
- **Kingdom of Italy**: Operated within its political and labor context during his lifetime.

### **Notable Works and Publications**
- *Umanità Nova* (1920–present): Anarchist newspaper co-founded by Malatesta.
- Various anarchist essays and pamphlets on direct action, anti-militarism, and workers' rights.

### **Death and Posthumous Recognition**
Errico Malatesta died on July 22, 1932, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential anarchist thinkers and activists of his time. His ideas continue to be studied and referenced in anarchist and labor movements worldwide.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12123/130215)
5. Find a Grave
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Historical Commission of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. Médias 19
15. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
16. Babelio
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Autoritats UB
19. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
20. Enciclopedia Treccani
21. LIBRIS. 2012
22. [BEVRIJDING](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12123/130215)
23. Dizionario di Storia