Ignazio Silone

Ignazio Silone (born Secondo Tranquilli, 1900–1978) was an Italian writer and politician. Born in Pescina in the Abruzzo region, he became involved early in efforts to improve the situation of agricultural laborers. In 1921, he was one of the founders of the Communist Party of Italy, together with Antonio Gramsci and Amadeo Bordiga. After becoming disillusioned with Stalinism, he was expelled from the party in 1931. During his exile, he began publishing novels that addressed fascism, political dogmatism, and social injustice. From 1950 onward, he devoted himself primarily to literature. His honors included honorary doctorates from Yale and Toulouse universities and the Gottfried Keller Prize in 1973.