Primo Levi

Date of Birth: July 31, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: April 11, 1987

Biography

Primo Levi was an Italian Jewish chemist, writer, and Holocaust survivor, best known for his poignant memoirs and reflections on his experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Born in Turin, Italy, Levi pursued a career in chemistry, obtaining his degree from the University of Turin in 1941. His early career was disrupted by the rise of Fascism and the subsequent anti-Semitic laws in Italy. In 1943, Levi joined a partisan group to fight against the Fascist regime and was captured by the Nazis, leading to his deportation to Auschwitz in February 1944. Levi’s experiences in Auschwitz profoundly shaped his later work. After the camp was liberated in 1945, he returned to Turin and resumed his career as a chemist while also beginning to write about his experiences. His first book, “If This Is a Man” (also known as “Survival in Auschwitz”), is a harrowing yet humanistic account of life in the concentration camp and is considered one of the most important works on the Holocaust. Levi continued to write, exploring themes of survival, identity, and ethics in both fiction and non-fiction.

5 Interesting Facts about Primo Levi

1. Primo Levi worked as a chemist for nearly 30 years after surviving Auschwitz, combining his scientific knowledge with his literary endeavors.

2. Levi’s book “The Periodic Table,” which intertwines his experiences as a chemist with his personal history, was named the best science book ever by the Royal Institution of Great Britain in 2006.

3. Levi’s works have been translated into numerous languages, making his powerful accounts of the Holocaust accessible to a global audience.

4. Levi was awarded the prestigious Viareggio Prize for his novel “If Not Now, When?” in 1982, which tells the story of Jewish partisans during World War II.

5. Despite his tragic experiences, Levi maintained a lifelong interest in science and literature, often merging the two disciplines in his writings.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Primo Levi

1. “Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready to believe and to act without asking questions.”

2. “It is neither easy nor pleasant to dredge up the memories of the past.”

3. “I am constantly amazed by man’s inhumanity to man.”

4. “A country is considered the more civilised the more the wisdom and efficiency of its laws hinder a weak man from becoming too weak and a powerful one too powerful.”

5. “The aims of life are the best defense against death.”