Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827).
After portrait by F.X. Fabre.
Ugo Foscolo’s original name is Niccolo Foscolo (1778-1827) and he was a poet and novelist whose works articulate the feelings of many Italians during the turbulent epoch of the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and the restoration of Austrian rule; they rank among the masterpieces of Italian literature. He was foremost among writers in early struggles for his country's unity and freedom from foreign domination. He thought an Italian nation in culture always would be, and that idea of a nation legalised a political nation.
Foscolo’s very popular novel Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis, 1802 - The last letter of Jacopo Ortis - shows the author’s disgust with Italy’s social and political situation. Some critics consider this story the first modern Italian novel, and it influenced the Italian Risorgiomento.
When the Austrians and Russians invaded Italy in 1799, Foscolo, with other Italian patriots joined the French side. His main enemy was the conservative Austria. Made a captain in the Italian division of the French army after defence of Genoa in 1800, he had commissions in Milan, Bologna and Florence.
In 1814 the Austrian returned to Italy and Foscolo refused to take ought of allegiance. He immigrated to England where he supported himself by teaching and writing commentaries on Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch.
In an idealistic level he saw the tombs as inspiration to heroic deeds and famous missions, particularly the tombs in Santa Croce Church in Florence where Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galilei, Dante, Petrarca and Alfieri is buried.
In 1871 with great national ceremony his remains were moved from England and interred in Santa Croco church in Florence.
Michel 377, Sassone 307, AFA 323
Date of issue: 1932
Face value: 30 c.
Date created: 22/03/00 11:41:47