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Gabriele D'Annunzio. (credit: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.)

(born March 12, 1863, Pescara, Italy — died March 1, 1938, Gardone Riviera, on Lake Garda) Italian writer and military hero. He was a journalist before turning to poetry and fiction. His prodigious output includes The Child of Pleasure (1898), introducing the first of his many passionate Nietzschean-Superman heroes; The Triumph of Death (1894), his best-known novel; Alcyone (1904), considered his greatest poetic work; and the powerful play The Daughter of Jorio (1904). His works are marked by egocentrism, fluent and melodious style, and an overriding emphasis on sensual gratification. He urged Italy's entry into World War I, in which he distinguished himself militarily. In 1919 he set himself up as dictator of the port city Fiume in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles and effectively secured it for Italy; he was forced to step down in 1920. He later became an ardent fascist. His eloquence, daring, political leadership, extravagant spending, and scandalous affairs (especially with Eleonora Duse) made him one of the most striking personalities of his day.

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