Ireneo Affò

Irenaeus Affò c. 1780

Ireneo Affò (born Davide, 10 December 1741 – 14 May 1797) known in Italy as Irenaeus, was an art historian, writer, and numismatist Italian belonging to the Order of Friars Minor Observant, or Franciscan friar.

Personal background

Affò was born in 1741, in Busseto, which is a comune in the province of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy. It became the home of the opera composer Giuseppe Verdi when he moved there in 1824.

Observing his early inclination for drawing and poetry, Affò's father encouraged him to study in the workshop of the painter and sculptor, Pietro Balestra. After a short time, Affò began pursuing studies in fine arts, demonstrating abilities in the writing.

In his youth, Affò became a friar in the branch of the Franciscan order. He continued to pursue his writing, which included poetry. He composed a song to the Virgin Mary, as well as another on Noah's Ark. He began to cultivate the study of learning, conducting extensive historical research of Italy and the surrounding area.

Ferdinand, Duke of Parma sent Affò to serve as a professor of philosophy at Guastalla, where he oversaw the publication of two ancient codices, including Angelo Poliziano's Orpheus, and the newly discovered archive of the Holy Spirit in Reggio Emilia. He then edited the critical edition of poetic works of St. Francis of Assisi. His major work in the literary field is still represented by the first five volumes of Memoirs of writers and scholars of Parma (1789 – 1797). While at Guastalla, Affò wrote his History of the city and duchy of Guastalla. He wrote also, History of Parma, until 1346, as well as other works connected with the ancient history of Italy. Affò's writing became highly respected throughout Italy.

In 1778, Affò was called to Parma as deputy librarian of the Court Paciaudi Mary Paul. While his writing covered a wide variety of subjects, his research was uncannily accurate and valued at the library.

In 1785, he became director of the Palatine Library, and later became historiographer of the Journal of the duchy and honorary Professor of History at the university. In 1792, Affò began publishing the four volumes of the History of Parma.

He died at the age of 56, in the convent of Busseto, when he contracted typhus fever. He left a manuscript History of Peter Louis Farnese. Girolamo Tiraboschi, an Italian literary critic and historian of Italian literature often quotes his works. His Poetical Dictionary and Memoirs, as well as other pieces are inserted in the Raccolta Ferrarese di Opuscoli.

Writings

• History of the city and duchy of Guastalla, 4 volumes, Parma, 1785–1788
• Memoirs of writers and scholars of Parma, 5 volumes, Parma, 1789–1797, work continued by Pezzana Angelo, 1825–1833
• History of Parma, until 1346, 4 volumes, Parma, 1793–1795
• The Mint coin and Parmesan, Parma 1788, work integrated and continued by Michael Lopez, 1868–1874
• Life of Aloysius Gonzaga said Rodomont, Parma 1780

References

This article incorporates text from A New General Biographical Dictionary (1857) by Hugh James Rose and Henry John Rose, a publication now in the public domain.