Who Is Primo Levi? Age, Biography and Wiki
Primo Levi was born on July 31, 1919, in Turin, Italy. He became one of the most significant voices of the Holocaust, documenting his experiences in Auschwitz through powerful narratives. Levi’s literary works, including “If This Is a Man” and “The Periodic Table,” express not only his suffering and survival but also his deep understanding of the human condition. Levi passed away in 1987, but his legacy continues to resonate today.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 31, 1919 |
| Age | 67 Years |
| Birth Place | Turin, Italy |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Italy |
| Date of death | 11 April, 1987 |
| Died Place | Turin, Italy |
Popularity
Primo Levi's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Primo Levi had an average build, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. His weight fluctuated over the years; however, specific measurements are not well-documented. Levi's physical presence was not just defined by his stature, but by the profound impact of his work and his intellect.
In September 1930, Levi entered the Massimo d'Azeglio Royal Gymnasium a year ahead of normal entrance requirements. In class, he was the youngest, the shortest and the cleverest, as well as being the only Jew. Only two boys there bullied him for being Jewish, but their animosity was traumatic.
In August 1932, following two years attendance at the Talmud Torah school in Turin to pick up the elements of doctrine and culture, he sang in the local synagogue for his Bar Mitzvah. In 1933, as was expected of all young Italian schoolboys, he joined the Avanguardisti movement for young Fascists.
He avoided rifle drill by joining the ski division, and spent every Saturday during the season on the slopes above Turin. As a young boy, Levi was plagued by illness, particularly chest infections, but he was keen to participate in physical activity.
In his teens, Levi and a few friends would sneak into a disused sports stadium and conduct athletic competitions.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Primo Levi married his wife, Natalia Scola, in 1947. Together, they had two children, a son named Renzo and a daughter named Lisa. Throughout his life, Levi maintained a deep bond with his family, which served as a pillar of support during his challenging experiences and distinguished literary career. There are no records of extramarital relationships; his dedication to his family remained strong until his passing.
His father, Cesare Levi (1878–1942), worked for the manufacturing firm Ganz and spent much of his time working abroad in Hungary, where Ganz was based. Cesare was an avid reader and autodidact. Levi's mother, Esterina (Ester Luzzati Levi, 1895–1991), known to everyone as Rina, was well educated, having attended the Istituto Maria Letizia.
She too was an avid reader, played the piano, and spoke fluent French. The marriage between Rina and Cesare had been arranged by Rina's father. On their wedding day, Rina's father, Cesare Luzzati, gave Rina the apartment at Corso Re Umberto, where Primo Levi lived for almost his entire life.
Net Worth and Salary
While exact figures regarding Primo Levi's net worth during his lifetime are not publicly documented, it is important to note that as a published author, lawyer, and chemist, he earned a respectable income. His literary works continue to generate revenue through book sales, royalties, and adaptations, contributing to his lasting financial legacy.
Levi knew some German from reading German publications on chemistry, and he worked to adjust quickly to life in the camp without attracting the attention of the privileged inmates. He used bread to pay a more experienced Italian prisoner for German lessons and understanding how to cope in Auschwitz.
He was given a smuggled soup ration each day by Lorenzo Perrone, an Italian civilian bricklayer who was working at Auschwitz as a forced labourer.
Levi's professional qualifications were useful to the Germans and, in mid-November 1944, he secured a position as an assistant in IG Farben's Buna Werke laboratory that was aiming to produce synthetic rubber.
By avoiding hard labour in freezing outdoor temperatures he was able to survive, as well as by stealing materials from the laboratory and trading them for extra food. Shortly before the camp was liberated by the Red Army, he fell ill with scarlet fever and was placed in the camp's sanatorium (camp hospital).
On 18 January 1945, the SS hurriedly evacuated the camp as the Red Army approached, forcing all but the gravely ill on a long death march to a site further from the front. The march resulted in the deaths of the vast majority of the remaining prisoners, but Levi's illness spared him that fate.
Career, Business and Investments
Primo Levi's career is primarily noted for his contributions to literature and his role as a Holocaust author. His scientific background as a chemist influenced his writing style, incorporating themes of science and humanity. Throughout his career, Levi published numerous books and essays which have been translated into multiple languages, exhibiting profound philosophical reflections on existence, suffering, and the strength of human spirit.
His investment in the literary domain and commitment to educating others about the Holocaust have also solidified his reputation as an important figure in both literature and historical discourse.
Because of the new racial laws and the increasing intensity of Fascist action, Levi had difficulty finding an advisor for his Ph.D. dissertation, which was on the subject of the Walden inversion, a study of the asymmetry of the carbon atom. Eventually taken on by Dr.
Nicolò Dallaporta, Levi graduated in mid-1941 with full marks and merit, having submitted additional theses on x-rays and electrostatic energy. His degree certificate bore the remark: "of Jewish race". The racial laws prevented Levi from finding a suitable permanent job after graduation.
Social Network
Primo Levi's influence extends to a wide audience across various platforms. Though he lived before the dawn of modern social media, his work is continually discussed and analyzed on online forums, educational websites, and literary blogs today. Dedicated fans and scholars often share his quotes and insights on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, ensuring that his teachings and messages are heard by new generations.
Primo Michele Levi (31 July 1919 – 11 April 1987) was a Jewish Italian chemist, partisan, Holocaust survivor and writer. He was the author of several books, collections of short stories, essays, poems and one novel.
His best-known works include: If This Is a Man (Se questo è un uomo, 1947, published as Survival in Auschwitz in the United States), his account of the year he spent as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland; and The Periodic Table (1975), a collection of mostly autobiographical short stories, each named after a che
mical element which plays a role in each story, which the Royal Institution named the best science book ever written.
Education
Levi was educated at the University of Turin, where he obtained a degree in chemistry. His educational background provided him with a foundation for both his scientific and literary pursuits. The blending of these two fields is evident in his works, where he often interweaves scientific knowledge with human experiences, making his narratives both enlightening and poignant.
In conclusion, Primo Levi remains an enduring figure whose life story and literary works are timeless treasures that continue to shape our understanding of humanity and resilience. His background, relationships, and career illustrate the profound impact one individual can make in the world, even after their passing.
In July 1934, at the age of 15, he sat the exams for the Liceo Classico D'Azeglio, a lyceum (sixth form or senior high school) specializing in the classics, and was admitted that year.
The school was noted for its anti-Fascist teachers, among them the philosopher Norberto Bobbio, and Cesare Pavese, who later became one of Italy's best-known novelists. Levi continued to be bullied during his time at the Lyceum, although six other Jews were in his class.
Upon reading Concerning the Nature of Things by English scientist Sir William Bragg, Levi decided that he wanted to be a chemist.
