He passed away in Rome, at the age of 94, Walter Pedullàessayist, literary critic and militant intellectual, after a long illness linked to Parkinson’s disease. Born on 10 October 1930 in Siderno, Calabria, Pedullà was a central figure in twentieth-century Italian literary criticism, as well as an intellectual committed to socialist culture. His death, which occurred on December 26, was confirmed by his family.
A career dedicated to literature and culture
Walter Pedullà graduated in literature at the University of Messina, where he was a student of Giacomo De Benedetti. Since 1958 he has taught modern and contemporary Italian literature at the “La Sapienza” University of Rome, inheriting his teacher’s chair. Emeritus professor since 2005, he was also the father of Gabriele Pedullà, university professor and literary scholar.
A professional journalist since 1962, he has collaborated with newspapers such as The Avanti!, The Messenger, The Unity And The Morning. His editorial activity led him to direct the monumental General history of Italian literaturepublished in 1999, and the series One hundred books for a thousand years. Pedullà also founded and directed the magazines The Illustrated Café And The Enlightenment.
Among his institutional roles, he was a member of the board of directors of Rai from 1977 to 1992 and president of the organization from 1992 to 1993. From 1995 to 2001 he led the Teatro di Roma, actively participating in the cultural life of the country.
A militant intellectual and a prolific author
Committed to the promotion of culture, Pedullà was among the founders of the Cooperativa Scrittori and edited works by authors such as Italo Svevo, Corrado Alvaro and Luigi Malerba. His activity as a critic has focused on twentieth-century literature, with particular attention to avant-garde movements, comedy and themes of marginalization.
Among his main works are: The literature of well-being (1968), The revolution of literature (1973), Alberto Savinio (1979, re-released 1991), Svevo’s slap (1990), Contemporary Italian fiction (1995), The secret twentieth century by Giacomo Debenedetti (2004) and autobiography Turn of life. Autobiography of an intellectual (2011).
Pedullà has received numerous awards, including the title of Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Republic for cultural merit, and awards such as the Flaiano for the book The fabric ball (2020).