Michele Barbi's Life of Dante

Michele Barbi’s Life of Dante stands as a masterful and concise exploration of the great poet's life, works, and enduring legacy. Originally appearing in the Enciclopedia Italiana in 1931 and later expanded into a book in 1933, Barbi's biography is celebrated for its synthesis of early Dante commentators and modern research. A preeminent Dante scholar, Barbi dedicated his career to Italian philology, serving as editor of Dante's works and founder of the journal Studi Danteschi. His meticulous studies of Vita Nuova, Canzoniere, and Divina Commedia make this biography an unparalleled resource for understanding Dante's literary genius, as well as his political, theological, and historical contexts.

Barbi’s biography does more than recount Dante’s life; it illuminates the poet’s complex personality and universal appeal, echoing T.S. Eliot's view of Dante as "the most universal of poets in the modern languages." This translation brings Barbi’s work to English-speaking readers, preserving his rigorous scholarship and deep empathy for his subject. By intertwining Dante's personal journey with his literary works, such as the Convivio and the Epistles, Barbi reveals a vivid portrait of a man whose life mirrored his art. For those seeking a comprehensive yet accessible examination of Dante’s life and achievements, Barbi’s work remains an invaluable guide.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1954.