Girolamo Comi
Girolamo Comi was an Italian poet born on November 23, 1890, in Casamassella, Italy, into an aristocratic family. The eldest of four children, he inherited the title of baron after his father's death in 1908. Comi's early education included prestigious institutions, but his scholarly pursuits did not initially meet his family's expectations. He spent significant time in Switzerland, where he encountered Symbolism and the philosophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner, leading to the publication of his first poetry collection, "Il lampadario," in 1912. His experiences in World War I impacted his health, resulting in his early discharge from military service.
Comi's life was marked by personal and financial struggles, particularly following his conversion to Catholicism in 1933, which profoundly influenced his poetry, shifting from sensual themes to those exploring the divine in nature. He founded two publishing houses throughout his career and received recognition for his work, including the Premio Chianciano in 1954. Despite ongoing health issues and financial difficulties, Comi's extensive body of poetry reflects his unique spiritual journey and dedication to the art form. He passed away on April 3, 1968, leaving behind a legacy that resists classification within literary movements.
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Girolamo Comi
Poet
- Born: November 23, 1890
- Birthplace: Casamassella, Italy
- Died: April 3, 1968
- Place of death: Tricase, Italy
Biography
Girolamo Comi was born November 23, 1890, in Casamassella, Italy, into an aristocratic family and was the oldest of four children. His parents were Giuseppe and Costanza de Viti de Marco. His father was baron of Lucugnano, a title Comi inherited. His mother’s brother was a prominent economist, but Comi’s youthful scholarly work disappointed his family. He attended the Istituto Capece of Maglie and the Istituto Palmieri in Lecce. After his father died in 1908, he attended private school in Ouchy, Switzerland. His involvement with a married woman led his mother to discontinue his financial support, and he began tutoring students in French and Italian.
While in Switzerland, Comi developed intellectually. He was introduced to Symbolism and the anthro-philosophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner. His first collection of poetry, Il lampadario (the chandelier), which celebrates the sensual world, was published in 1912. Between 1912 and 1915, he lived alternately in Ouchy and Paris and studied the poetry of the French Symbolists. In May 1915, he began his military career in the army. He served active combat duty in World War I, but was discharged before the war ended because of cerebral neurasthenia. In 1918, he married Erminia de Marco. Their daughter, Stefania Giuseppina, was born in 1919. In 1920, Comi and his family moved to Rome, where he founded the publishing house Tempo della Fortuna.
Comi converted to Catholicism in 1933. This religious transformation greatly influenced his poetry. Although his early poetry focuses purely on the sensual, his work after his conversion moves toward the exploration of the divine as experienced within the natural world. His religious conversion produced conflict in his marital relationship, though, and he also suffered financial problems. He and his wife separated in 1946 (though they never divorced) and Comi returned home to Lucugnano, where he founded the publishing house L’Albero. After his wife died in 1965, he married Tina Lambrini, his housekeeper. During the final years of his life, he was plagued by illness and financial problems. He died of arteriosclerosis on April 3, 1968.
Comi received the Premio Chianciano in 1954 for Spirito d’armonia, 1912-1952 (the spirit of harmony), an anthology of his poetry. Girolamo Comi eschewed literary movements and schools of thought. He perceived poetry as a means toward spiritual enlightenment. With his numerous volumes of poetry, he has left a record of his own individual journey.