D’ANNUNZIO, GABRIELE

(1864), Ital. poet, novelist, and dramatist, son of Duche a Maria Gallese of Rome; his novels were placed on the Index Ezxpurgatorius by the Vatican in 1911; his writings, which abound in sensuous imagery and color, include Primo Vere, 1880; Ii Piacere, 1898 (Eng. The Child of Pleasure); Le Vergini delle Rocce, 1897 (Eng. The Virgins of the Rocks, 1899); La Gioconda (tragedy, 1899; Eng. 1901); Francesca da Rimint (five act tragedy, 1901; Eng. 1902): Le Martyr de St. Sebastian (mystery play, 1911): Per la pui grande Italia, 1915; Notturno, 1918; and Tales of my Native Town (Eng.) 1920. During World War spoke eloquently for Italy’s intervention, and became national idol; proved himself a daring airman, and, among other feats, led an air flight to Vienna, Aug. 1918. After the armistice he carried out a dramatic coup by seizing Fiume, and though his action was disowned by the Ital. Government, popular feeling was strongly on his side. By treaty of Rapallo, Noy. 12, 1920, Fiume became an independent state. See Fiumr.