Roberto Bazlen: The Visionary Behind Adelphi Editions
Roberto Bazlen, affectionately called Bobi (1902-1965), was a co-founder of the Italian publishing firm Adelphi, established in 1962 alongside Luciano Foà and Roberto Calasso. He was born in Trieste and lost his father at the age of one, growing up in a Jewish bourgeois setting. After pursuing studies in economics, he began his career at an export firm and Atlantic Refining Co. in Genoa, where he met the poet Eugenio Montale. In 1934, he relocated to Milan, then to Rome in 1939, eventually depleting his inheritance while advising publishers like Einaudi (1951-1962) and Bompiani. Bazlen was instrumental in introducing psychoanalysis and writers such as Robert Musil to Italian audiences. Following his eviction in 1964, he became homeless and passed away in a hotel on July 17, 1965.
Key facts
- Roberto Bazlen co-founded Adelphi Editions in 1962 with Luciano Foà and Roberto Calasso.
- Bazlen was born in Trieste in 1902 to Eugenio and Clotilde Levi Minzi.
- He lost his father at age one and was raised in a Jewish bourgeois family.
- He studied economics but never graduated, working for an export company and Atlantic Refining Co.
- He met Eugenio Montale in Genoa and later joined the literary circle in Trieste.
- He worked as a consultant for Einaudi (1951-1962), Bompiani, Astrolabio, Bocca, Guanda, and Boringhieri.
- Bazlen introduced psychoanalysis and Eastern culture to Italy, and recommended authors like Robert Musil, Hermann Broch, and Alfred Döblin.
- He died on July 17, 1965 in a Milan hotel after being evicted from his Rome apartment.
Entities
Artists
- Roberto Bazlen
- Eugenio Montale
- Silvio Benco
- Umberto Saba
- Italo Svevo
- Giani Stuparich
- Robert Musil
- Peter Altenberg
- Hermann Broch
- Alfred Döblin
- Heinrich Mann
- Sergio Solmi
- Luciano Foà
- Roberto Calasso
- Adriano Olivetti
- Eugenio Bazlen
- Clotilde Levi Minzi
Institutions
- Adelphi
- Olivetti
- Nuove edizioni Ivrea
- Einaudi
- Bompiani
- Astrolabio
- Bocca
- Guanda
- Boringhieri
- Atlantic Refining Co.
- Artribune
- Amazon
Locations
- Trieste
- Italy
- Genoa
- Milan
- Rome
- via Margutta
- Ivrea
- London