Umberto Calosso’s mirage in Malta : the quest for the Chair of Italian literature

Abstract

A vacancy for the Chair of Italian Literature at the University of Malta provided an opportunity for Umberto Calosso to endeavour to relieve from the demanding job at St. Edward College (1931-1940). He applied for the vacancy together with seven other applicants, five of whom were Lyceum teachers. Calosso presented an impressive list of testimonials, which few applicants could rival. A letter to his mentor, the philosopher Benedetto Croce was regarded as a summary of his life in Malta. For one, Calosso considered Italian citizenship as an obstacle, so he sought and obtained British citizenship. His quest for the Chair of Italian Literature provoked caustic criticism by the fascist press. His forte in teaching Italian literature was Alessandro Manzoni’s I Promessi Sposi – lectures which he later collated in a book entitled I Colloqui col Manzoni, which became his visiting card for years to come. The imminent declaration of war by Italy made the post of professor at University redundant. In Malta, Umberto Calosso’s name is usually associated with a former technical institute in Santa Venera.