Michelangelo Crisafi papers
Abstract
Papers (1918-1972) of Italian American peot and author Michelangelo Crisafi (1893-1972) consist of biographical materials; personal correspondence; reviews; writings; and clippings of poetry aby other Italian American poets. Crisafi used the pseudonymn Germoglino Saggio.
Dates
- 1918-1972
Creator
- Crisafi, Michelangelo, 1893-1972 (Person)
Language of Materials
Italian and English
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
For further information regarding the copyright, please contact the IHRCA.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Germoglino Saggio was born on January 27, 1893 in the villiage of Calatta (San Mauro Castelverde), province of Palermo, Sicily. One of seven brothers, Saggio left Italy on August 21, 1912, prior to his induction into military service, in order to protest and escape the regime of King Emanuel III. He settled in New Haven, Connecticut where he labored as roofer for forty-five years with the Tilo Roofing Company. His first love, however, was the life and intellectual stimulus of a poet and writer.
In 1916, Michelangelo Crisafi assumed the pseudonym of Germoglino Saggio, in his words,” Not to be confused with others”. The existence of a poet, reading, writing and study remained a passion his entire life. Saggio was a prolific writer, contributing to numerous periodicals both in Italy and the United States. He authored several published volumes: Poeti d’oggi: Storia Romana, 1948; Reflessioni 1953; La Canzone della vendetta, ca. 1933; and Ascesione poema, 1969. Saggio’s work dealt with history, philosophy, religion, and society in a manner that revealed the poet’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
During his almost sixty years as a poet, Saggio corresponded with many of his peers, both in Italy and the United States. Italian-American poets and writers such as Riccardo Cirdiferro, Angelo M, Virga, Nino Caradonna, Pietro Greco, Luigi Roberto Burgo, Giuseppe Incalicchio and Antonino Crivello exchanged criticisms and judgments with Saggio concerning their writing and philosophies. The poet Saggio received honors and citations from literary organization in Italy, including the Accademia Internazionale di Propaganada Culturale (International Academy of Cultural Propagation), and Accademia D’Arte e Umantià (Academy of Art and Humanities).
While working as a roofer, from necessity, and as a poet out of love and social concern, Saggio in his later years found time to assist in the establishment of a library in his home town of Calatta. He sent numerous volumes from his own library to aid the effort, and in consequence was honored by the naming of a Germoglino Saggio room in the library complex. His effort in preserving Italian-American poetry and writing was also felt at the Immigration History Research Center, as he aided Professor R.J. Vecoli in the acquisition of numerous works and volumes.
Germoglino Saggio died May 20, 1972 at the age of 79, survived by his widow (Mrs. Mary Giamo Crisafi) ,son Frank, daughter Mrs. James (Gloria) Pilling, and five grandchildren
Extent
6 Linear Feet
Processing Information
The Papers of Michelangelo Crisafi (Pseud. Germoglino Saggio) were deposited in the Immigration History Research Center in August, 1972. They were presented as a gift by Mrs. Gloria Pilling, Saggio’s Daughter and secured through the efforts of Professor Rudolph J. Vecoli, Director of the Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota. The collection, predominantly in Italian, consists of 7.5 linear feet of Papers and Correspondence. It was processed during 1974-75 by Philip F. Notarianni.
- Italian American poets. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Italian Americans -- Connecticut -- New Haven. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Inventory of the Michelangelo Crisafi papers.
- Author
- IHRC Archives
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding Aid in English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Immigration History Research Center Archives Collecting Area