Joseph Tusiani (January 14, 1924 – April 11, 2020) was an Italian-American poet, translator, and novelist. He served as a professor emeritus of languages and literature at Lehman College and was named New York State Poet Laureate Emeritus in 2016 by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Tusiani published works in four languages: Italian, Latin, English, and Gargano, the dialect of his birthplace in the Apulia region of Italy.[1]
Joseph Tusiani | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 14, 1924 Apulia, Italy |
| Died | April 11, 2020 (aged 96) |
Early life and education
editBorn in the Apulia region of Italy, Tusiani earned his Ph.D. in Letters from the University of Naples in 1947. He emigrated to the United States the following year, settling in the Arthur Avenue neighborhood of the Bronx. He began his teaching career at the College of Mount Saint Vincent before joining Lehman College.[1]
Career
editIn addition to teaching, Tusiani was a prolific writer and translator. His works include poetry, translations, a novel, and a three-volume autobiography. His contributions to literature and education were recognized internationally, earning him several prestigious awards.[citation needed]
Achievements and recognition
editIn 1954, he was the first American to receive the Greenwood Prize of the Poetry Society of England.[2] He received the AATI Distinguished Service Award in 1986, and the Keys to the City of Florence in 2007 for his contributions to literature.[3]
A scholarship was established in his name at Lehman College to support students interested in Italian-American culture.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b "In Memoriam: Poet and Lehman Professor Emeritus Joseph Tusiani". www.lehman.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ Cohen, Jason (2020-04-27). "'He would create an aura of magic': Former Lehman Professor Joseph Tusiani dies at 96 – Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ Giordano, Paolo A. (2016). "Joseph Tusiani: The Man and His Work". Italica. 93 (2): 318–337. ISSN 0021-3020. JSTOR 44504568.