Umberto Eco

Umberto Eco was an Italian literary critic, novelist, and semiotician best known for his novel The Name of the Rose.

Non-Fiction Writer

January 5, 1932

Capricorn

February 19, 2016

84

Allesandria, Italy

Umberto Eco, an Italian novelist, philosopher, and literary critic, is best known for his acclaimed novel “The Name of the Rose.” He authored over 20 books, including “Foucault’s Pendulum,” “The Prague Cemetery,” and “The Island of the Day Before.” As a professor of semiotics, Eco significantly contributed to the fields of media, culture, and aesthetics, earning numerous awards such as the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities.

An avid book collector, Eco’s personal library contained more than 30,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts, early editions, and books on various subjects. This passion for books heavily influenced his writing. After his passing, a substantial part of his library was donated to the University of Bologna.

While “The Name of the Rose” remains his most famous work, Eco’s other notable novels include the complex “Foucault’s Pendulum,” “The Prague Cemetery,” and “The Island of the Day Before.” His contributions to literature and semiotics have established him as one of Italy’s most prominent intellectuals.