Giovanni Papini (9 January 1881 – 8 July 1956) was an Italian journalist, essayist, novelist, poet, and philosopher. A controversial literary figure, he was a key proponent of Italian pragmatism and engaged in avant-garde movements like futurism. Over his lifetime, he shifted from atheism to Catholicism and later embraced fascism, though he opposed Nazism.
Papini’s literary career began with Il Crepuscolo dei Filosofi (1906) and Un Uomo Finito (1913), both exploring his evolving philosophical views. His writings, known for their sharp rhetoric, brought him both admiration and criticism. Although his work faded from public recognition after his death, Jorge Luis Borges later praised him as "undeservedly forgotten".
Born in Florence to a modest family, Papini was largely self-educated. He founded the journal Il Leonardo in 1903, introducing Italian readers to thinkers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. His intellectual journey led him to publish essays, poems, and novels, often provoking strong reactions.
In 1921, he converted to Catholicism and published Storia di Cristo, a widely successful religious work. Later, he wrote Gog (1931) and Dante Vivo (1933), reflecting his evolving perspectives. After World War II, he was largely discredited due to his fascist affiliations. In his final years, blind and ill, he entered a Franciscan convent.
Papini’s legacy remains complex; his works are both celebrated for their intellectual depth and criticized for his political choices.