Carlo Stuparich

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Carlo Stuparich (born Carlo Stuparovich) was an Italian writer, poet, and war hero. He lived from 3 August 1894 to 30 May 1916. His best-known work appeared after his death, thanks to his older brother Giovanni “Giani” Stuparich, who was also a writer. Many think Carlo would have become a more original writer than his brother if he had lived longer.

Carlo was born in Trieste, then part of the Austrian Empire. His father Marco came from a Dalmatian seafaring family; his mother Gisella Gentili came from a Trieste merchant family. He had two older siblings, Giovanni (Giani) and Bianca. He learned violin as a child and loved Bach.

Around 1913 he moved to Florence for university. There he joined his brother and their friend Scipio Slataper, and they contributed to the literary magazine La Voce. They shared nationalist ideas and supported Italian unification.

In 1914 Italy entered World War I. Carlo and his brother volunteered for the Italian army, sometimes using the name Sartori to avoid confusion with others from Trieste. They served in the First Grenadiers’ Regiment.

In May 1916, during heavy fighting on the Asiago plateau near Monte Cengio, Carlo and his unit were cut off. On 30 May 1916, after a failed counterattack and with the enemy surrounding them, Carlo Stuparich killed himself to avoid capture. He was later awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor.

Carlo’s notable book, Cose e ombre di uno (Things and Shadows of One), was published after his death with an introduction by his brother Giani. The work has been republished several times. Streets, squares, and even a school complex have been named in his memory, including a war cemetery near the area where he fought.