Aldo Vallone.

Cervigni, Dino S.

Aldo Vallone, one of the most distinguished scholars of Italian literature of the twentieth century, died on June 23, 2002, in Galatina, in the province of Lecce, where he was born on November 1, 1916. He studied at the universities of Florence and Turin, graduating in 1940. He first taught at the liceo of Asti, Galatina, and Rome, later becoming Provveditore agli Studi and Ispettore Centrale at the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione. After teaching at the universities of Lecce and Bari, beginning in the academic year 1972-73 he taught at the University of Naples until his retirement.

An extremely well-mannered, courteous, and considerate person, Aldo Vallone devoted his entire life to the study of Italy's literary culture. The bibliography of his published works is endless and will bear witness, for many generations to come, to his love for his native land, the Salento, and virtually all genres and all centuries in Italy's culture, beginning with his Prime noterelle dantesche (1947) and continuing indefatigably until the last days of his life. Interpreting respectfully Aldo Vallone's mind, I believe that he would like to be remembered especially for his Storia della letteratura meridionale (Napoli: CUEN, 1996, pp. 816) and his works on Italy's greatest poet, primarily his Dante (1971; re-edited in 1981) and his Storia della critica dantesca dal XIV and XX secolo (1981, 2 vols.), all three volumes belonging to Vallardi's prestigious Storia letteraria d'Italia.

Among the many tributes Aldo Vallone received during his life, I would like to remember the following:Medaglia d'oro per i Benemeriti della Scuola Cultura e Arte (1971); and Medaglia d'oro conferred upon him by the city of Florence and the Societa Dantesca Italiana (1990).

His love for his Salento led him back, time and again, to his native Galatina, where I had the privilege of meeting him and conversing with him on many occasions in his "Casa di Dante," his extremely rich personal library, to which he devoted so much love and care throughout his life: a true cenacolo where friends, disciples, and scholars used to convene to converse with, and honor Aldo Vallone. Next to the memory of this unique gentleman scholar and his prestigious works, Galatina's "Casa di Dante" will be affectionately remembered by all, and will remain the proper testimonial to Aldo Vallone's lifelong devotion to his great true teacher and mentor: Dante Alighieri.

Dino S. Cervigni

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill