A Biographical Dictionary of Modern Rationalists/Amicis, Edmondo de
Amicis, Edmondo de, Italian writer. B. Oct. 21, 1846. Ed. Cuneo, Turin, and the Modena Military Academy. He served in the war against Austria and the Papacy, and assisted in propaganda. He edited Italia Militare in 1867, and wrote his first book, La Vita Militare, in 1868. After the recovery of Rome from the Papacy he quitted the army and devoted himself entirely to letters. De Amicis became one of the most extensively read Italian authors of the last three quarters of a century" (Athenæum), and his literary distinction was not less than his popularity. His Cuore (Heart), which passed through 300 editions in Italian and was translated into twenty other languages, is a beautiful story for boys. He was deeply interested in education, especially on the ethical side, and wrote many stories to promote it. He was an Agnostic, as he freely expresses in his Memorie (1898). He rejects the hope of immortality, and is merely "fascinated and tormented by the vast mystery of life" (p. 355). D. Mar. 12, 1903.