Biography of Antonio Banfi

Do school

30 September 1886 22 July 1957 Antonio Banfi was born in Vimercate (MI) on 30 September 1886; the family, Catholic and liberal principles, is tradition. Henry's father, an engineer, was for forty years headmaster of the Technical Institute of Mantua, the maternal grandfather was a Napoleonic officer and Strambio de Castilla (part of the milanese nobility). In this environment is formed then the young Antonio Banfi, who moves frequently between Mantua, where he studied at the liceo Virgilio, and Vimercate where the family usually spend the summer holiday period in the paternal House, which houses a large library, first recollection of young Banfi. He enrolled in the Regia Accademia scientifico-letteraria in Milan in 1904-by attending the courses of the Faculty of letters that will complete in four years with honors, summa cum laude; for his thesis presents a monograph on Francesco da Barberino discussed with Francesco Novati. Immediately after began teaching at the Institute of Milan, and at the same time, Horses-Conti continued his studies of philosophy (his professors are Joseph Curtin for history of philosophy and Piero Martinetti for Theoretical); He obtained his doctorate in the fall of 1909 with flying colors while discussing with Jacks a dissertation consisting of three monographs on the thought of Renouvier, Boutroux and Bergson. During the same period also follows the diplomas of courses of education for both the letters for philosophy. In 23 years the cultural sensitivity of Antonio Banfi already appears bright. In March of 1910, Banfi with friend Cooked takes the way of Germany. On 28 April is registered at the Faculty of philosophy of "Friedrich Wilhelms Universitat of Berlin. Back in Italy in the spring of 1911 and takes part in competitions, teaching of philosophy in high schools succeeding sixth between the appropriate and 17th on the list. Gets extra duties for six months of philosophy in Lanciano, after which is transferred to Urbino where he remained until the end of the school year 1911-12. Then receives from the Ministry of education the news he had won the Chair of philosophy with a choice of four locations. At the beginning of 1913 Banfi passes as an extraordinary Professor at the high school of Jesi and stays there throughout the school year. In August he hears the appointment of Professor at the high school of Alexandria, where he went in the fall of 1913 doing his teaching at the College level and, as instructed, to local schools. The Wedding March 4, 1916 in Bologna, Daria Malaguzzi Valeri, who throughout his life will partner participant of his intellectual and moral world. At the outbreak of war, Banfi, reformed the military service, can remain in place as a teacher. It is during the period of the first world war that Baba left positions is approaching. While not militating within the Socialist Movement shares the purposes. During these years he was appointed Director of the municipal library of Alexandria, a position he held until the fascist squads fail to result in his removal. In the face of threats of fascist squads Banfi maintains an attitude of firmness and radical opposition. While he continued teaching, Banfi is devoted in recent years to an intense scientific work that will have its first award in obtaining the professorship on December 9, 1924. In the spring of 1923 knows personally Edmund Husserl during his visit to Italy. Since then he always kept close relations with German philosopher until 1938 when he goes out. In 1925 Baba is a signatory of the famous response, edited by Benedetto Croce, a manifesto of the fascist intellectuals. In the fall of 1926, after 13 years of teaching in Alexandria, gets transferred to the Liceo-Ginnasio Parini in Milan where he still teaches philosophy and history. In 1931 presented himself to the contest to extraordinary Professor at the Chair of history of philosophy at the University of Genoa, manages winner. In 1932 was finally called in Milan for the Chair of history of philosophy. By 1932 the most profitable years begin teaching banfiano and it is in this period that it is forming the solid core of scholars who, in the Italian philosophical culture today are called "Baba". In 1940 he founded the "philosophical studies" that becomes the center of gathering new strength that came from his own school. At the end of 1941 came into contact with the clandestine organization of the Italian Communist Party and participates in this movement. In the period up to September 8, 1943 Banfi participates in numerous meetings of professors that were intended to lay the groundwork for a free trade union of schoolhouse. After the 8 September Banfi takes directly part in the Organization of the resistance. In 1944 he founded with Eugenio Curiel on "Youth Front". During the whole period of Resistance Banfi continues its academic lectures leaving only the March 17, 1945, shortly before the insurgency phase. In recognition of his actions in this period the "recognition Commission qualifications partisans for Lombardy" gives the qualification of partisan fighter in the third Gap for the period from September 9, 1943 to April 25, 1945. After liberation Banfi strives to organize those cultural structures necessary for the intellectual and moral renewal of the country. Immediately after the uprising he founded the "Opposite of culture" that wants to collect all energy sensitive national intelligence and modern. More strictly political plan B. participates in the life of the Communist Party with conferences, debates, rallies. In 1948, as a candidate of the "popular democratic front", he was elected Senator in Abbiategrasso. Therefore part of the sixth Senate Committee for public education. Here, and in parliamentary work, participates in legislative activities and plays a energetic action strongly in defense of the national school, University and secondary. In 1949, for the first time, Baba went to the Soviet Union from which returns with a lively and positive impression. He later returns in the USSR twice more in his capacity as Commissioner for Italy of the Lenin prize. In 1953 was reelected to the Senate in the second College of Cremona. Shortly before the elections to Banfi makes a long journey to China, up in Mongolia. China has opportunity to celebrate the centenary of Leonardo. From this journey Banfi back so fascinated resume his studies around the Chinese culture. In 1954 he went to England in the spring of 1957 comes back for the last time in the USSR. Here they establish contact with representatives of Chinese, Indian and Muslim culture within the framework of the plan that he had traced to shooting "philosophical studies". Despite the extensive participation in political life, fervid activity dedicated to the Organization of culture, the multiple interests of his personality (as well as University Professor and Senator of the Republic was member of Milan City Council, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, a member of the Istituto Lombardo di Scienze e Lettere, academia dei Lincei vice President of trade union education International Federation, President of the sociological social prevention Center section , Vice-President of the Italian philosophical society, Member of the Interparliamentary Union, the Board of the European society of culture, President of the Italy-USSR, Member of the Center for China studies, Committee member Thomas Mann), even in recent years he regularly gives his college courses. In the summer of 1957, after regularly finishing all University courses, where he directed the graduate school, and at Bocconi University, fell ill in early July. He died on July 22, 1957 Milan clinic Columbus surrounded by wife, by his son and by the Group of his most devoted students.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.