(Florence 1826 – 1890) Real name Carlo Lorenzini. Having worked in a library in Florence, Collodi fought in the second war of independence with the Piedmontese Army in 1848.

He founded the satirical magazine “Il Lampione” which was later temporarily closed down in 1849 for political reasons, but was re-opened in 1850. He thus began an intense journalistic activity especially as reported and theatre critic. He always signed his articles Collodi, which is his mothers’ place of birth. In 1853 he founded another magazine “La Scaramuccia” and continued to write until 1859 when he joined Giuseppe Garibaldi’s army.

After 1860 Collodi became theatre censor. He found he had good skills in children’s literature and in 1880 he directed “Giornale dei Bambini”. In it he printed “Le Avventure di Pinocchio” which he later published in 1883. It was his masterpiece. The story became so popular as to be one of the most translated books in the world. Walt Disney even made a cartoon of it in 1940. Collodi died before he could enjoy the financial benefits of his success.

(9Colonne)