Carlo Collodi
Carlo Lorenzini, who wrote under the pseudonym Carlo Collodi, was born in Florence, Italy, on 24 November 1826. He took up journalism at a time when Italy was divided in many small states, mostly under foreign rule. Influenced by the growing national consiousnes, Collodi founded Il Lampione, a politico-satirical daily newspaper through which he tried to spread his ideas as widely as possible. He also enlisted with the Tuscan army twice – in 1848 and 1859 – during the two Italian wars of independence, in various capacities. By 1860, with the unification of Italy nearing completion, Collodi was entrusted with new responsibilities. He was made the secretary of the Prefecture of Florence and it was under his supervision that several significant educational reforms were implemented. Around 1875, he was approached by a Florentine publishing house to translate popular French fairy tales and fables. The collection, published as I racconti delle Fate, turned out to be hugely successful. This inspired Collodi to move towards children's writing. On 26 October 1890, while in the middle of charting the outline of yet another children's book, he passed away suddenly. His body lies buried at the San Miniato al Monte Basilica.