2017-01-16 Mon

“To err is human, but contrition felt for the crime distinguishes the virtuous from the wicked.” – Vittorio Alfieri.

Count Vittorio Alfieri, an Italian dramatist, and poet was born on 16th January 1749 and is considered as the founder of Italian tragedy. Having studied intellectuals like Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu he developed a hatred of tyranny, which was the main theme in most of his works.

After resigning from the military, he wrote many successful tragic poetry and dramas like Cleopatra (1775), Antigone, Oreste, Mirra, and Saul, etc. He also wrote on historical events like L’America Libera (American Revolution), Parigi sbastigtliata (an ode to the fall of Bastille), etc.

He died on 8th October 1803 in Florence. His autobiography- “Vita di Vittorio Alfieri scritta da eso” was published in 1804.

This 24 Italian centesimo commemorative stamp of Alfieri was issued by Poste Italiane on 14th March 1932 under the series Dante Alighieri Society.