# Ignazio Silone

> Italian writer and politician (1900-1978)

**Wikidata**: [Q168431](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168431)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignazio_Silone)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ignazio-silone

## Summary

Ignazio Silone (1900–1978) was an Italian writer, novelist, playwright, journalist, and politician known for his literary works exploring social justice, fascism, and the human condition. He was a prominent figure in 20th-century Italian literature and politics, receiving multiple international literary awards including the Jerusalem Prize, Prix mondial Cino Del Duca, and Gottfried-Keller-Preis. His literary career spanned several decades, and he was affiliated with various academies including the German Academy for Language and Literature, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Letters.

## Biography

- **Born:** May 1, 1900
- **Died:** August 22, 1978
- **Nationality:** Italian
- **Citizenship:** Italy; additional citizenship Q172579 (not specified in source material)
- **Known for:** Literary works addressing social and political themes; political activism; journalism
- **Field(s):** Literature, Journalism, Politics
- **Occupation(s):** Writer, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, Politician
- **Employer(s):** Q658626 (not specified in source material)
- **Member of:** 
  - German Academy for Language and Literature (inception: August 28, 1949)
  - American Academy of Arts and Sciences (inception: May 4, 1780)
  - American Academy of Arts and Letters (inception: 1899)
  - Q459620, Q463303, Q463281 (not specified in source material)
- **Aliases:** Secondino Tranquilli, Secondo Tranquilli

## Contributions

Ignazio Silone made significant contributions across multiple fields:

**Literary Works:**
- Published numerous novels and plays exploring themes of social injustice, fascism, and human morality
- His works contributed to Italian literature and were recognized internationally
- Received the Jerusalem Prize in 1963, a literature award granted by the City of Jerusalem
- Awarded the Prix mondial Cino Del Duca in 1969, an international literary award
- Received the Gottfried-Keller-Preis in 1921, a Swiss literary award
- Received honorary doctor of the University of Toulouse (France)

**Political Career:**
- Active in Italian politics throughout the early to mid-20th century
- His political engagement influenced his literary works, which often addressed social and political issues

**Journalism:**
- Contributed to journalism as both a profession and field of work
- Used journalistic platforms to address social and political matters

## FAQs

**What awards did Ignazio Silone receive?**
Ignazio Silone received several prestigious literary awards including the Jerusalem Prize (1963), Prix mondial Cino Del Duca (1969), Gottfried-Keller-Preis (1921), and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Toulouse in France.

**Which academies was Ignazio Silone affiliated with?**
Silone was a member of the German Academy for Language and Literature (founded 1949), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (founded 1780), and the American Academy of Arts and Letters (founded 1899).

**What was Ignazio Silone's profession?**
Ignazio Silone was a multi-faceted professional including writer, novelist, playwright, journalist, and politician. His work spanned literature, journalism, and politics throughout his career.

**What is Ignazio Silone's legacy in Italian literature?**
Silone is recognized as a significant figure in 20th-century Italian literature, known for his works that explored social justice, fascism, and the human condition. His literary contributions earned him international recognition and multiple awards.

**What was Ignazio Silone's birth name?**
Ignazio Silone was born with the name Secondino Tranquilli, also known as Secondo Tranquilli.

## Why They Matter

Ignazio Silone holds significance in 20th-century Italian cultural and political history through his dual roles as a literary figure and political activist. His literary works, characterized by their exploration of social injustice and the moral complexities of political engagement, contributed substantially to Italian literature and earned international recognition. The multiple prestigious awards he received—including the Jerusalem Prize, Prix mondial Cino Del Duca, and Gottfried-Keller-Preis—demonstrate the international literary community's acknowledgment of his contributions.

His political involvement, particularly during the tumultuous period of Italian history encompassing the Kingdom of Italy and the transition to the Italian Republic, added depth to his literary works, which often reflected his political convictions. The affiliation with prestigious academies in both Germany and the United States indicates his standing in the international literary and intellectual community. Without his contributions, Italian 20th-century literature would lack one of its voices addressing social justice and political morality.

## Notable For

- Recipient of the Jerusalem Prize (1963), the literature award of the City of Jerusalem
- Winner of the Prix mondial Cino Del Duca (1969), an international literary award
- Recipient of the Gottfried-Keller-Preis (1921), a prestigious Swiss literary award
- Honorary doctor of the University of Toulouse
- Member of the German Academy for Language and Literature (since 1949)
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1780)
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters (since 1899)
- Active during the transition from the Kingdom of Italy to the Italian Republic
- Known for addressing social justice and fascism in his literary works

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Ignazio Silone was born on May 1, 1900, during the period of the Kingdom of Italy, which was established on March 17, 1861. His birth occurred in Italy, a country that would undergo significant political transformation during his lifetime, transitioning from a monarchy to a republic in 1946. He was born under the name Secondino Tranquilli, also known as Secondo Tranquilli.

### Literary Career

Silone's career as a writer, novelist, and playwright established him as one of Italy's significant 20th-century literary figures. His works primarily explored themes of social justice, fascism, and the moral complexities of human existence. The political context of Italy—from the Kingdom of Italy through the fascist period and into the post-war Italian Republic—heavily influenced his literary output.

His contributions to literature were recognized internationally through multiple prestigious awards. In 1921, he received the Gottfried-Keller-Preis, a Swiss literary award. He was awarded the Jerusalem Prize in 1963, which is given by the City of Jerusalem to writers whose work deals with themes of human freedom, social justice, and Jewish issues. In 1969, he received the Prix mondial Cino Del Duca, an international literary award.

### Political Engagement

Beyond his literary career, Silone was actively involved in Italian politics. His political engagement placed him within the broader context of Italian political developments during the first half of the 20th century. The political landscape of Italy during his lifetime included the later years of the Kingdom of Italy, the fascist period under Mussolini, World War II, and the establishment of the Italian Republic in 1946 following the constitutional referendum of June 18, 1946.

### Journalism

Silone's work in journalism complemented his literary and political activities. Journalism served as a platform for him to address social and political issues, and it was one of his primary fields of work alongside literature and politics. His journalistic contributions allowed him to engage with contemporary issues and reach a broader audience.

### Academic Affiliations

Silone's standing in the international literary and intellectual community is evidenced by his memberships in several prestigious academies. He was a member of the German Academy for Language and Literature (Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung), founded on August 28, 1949, based in Darmstadt, Germany. He was also affiliated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center founded on May 4, 1780, headquartered in Boston. Additionally, he was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, an honor society founded in 1899, based in New York City.

### Later Life and Legacy

Ignazio Silone died on August 22, 1978. Throughout his life, he maintained Italian citizenship and contributed significantly to Italian literature, journalism, and politics. His legacy includes his literary works, which continue to be studied for their exploration of social and political themes, and his recognition through numerous awards. His multifaceted career as a writer, journalist, and politician exemplifies the intersection of literature and politics in 20th-century Italian history.

### Personal Identification

Various international identification systems recognize Silone's contributions. His works are documented across multiple library and archive systems, and his literary legacy continues to be preserved through various cultural institutions. His website (http://www.silone.it) maintains information about his life and work.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. BeWeB
4. Q130597718
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](https://books.google.it/books?id=jz43DwAAQBAJ)
7. Historical Dictionary of Switzerland
8. [Journal officiel de la République française. 1969](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/jo/id/JORFCONT000000019862)
9. [Source](http://www.fondation-del-duca.fr/prix-mondial)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. CiNii Research
12. Bibliothèque nationale de France
13. OPAC SBN
14. MusicBrainz
15. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10622/ARCH01306)
16. SNAC
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