became his assistant at some point around 1941. Sources are nevertheless unclear and at times appear contradictory over the extent of his practical commitment to the anti-government cause. Later years In the aftermath of two decades of fascism incorporating half a decade of destructive war, a readjustment of Sapégno's philosophical underpinnings could not be avoided. Many anti-fascist intellectuals of his generation faced some of the same dilemmas. The uncompromisingly idealistic liberal anti-fascist philosophy of Croce would always remain as his starting point; but he also came increasingly under the influence of Gramsci, whereby in his own writings he moved towards a singular fusion of Historicism and Marxism which, in terms of traditional Anglo-American thought patterns, defies easy pigeon-holing. In 1954 he was elected to the Accademia dei Lincei as a corresponding member. He became a full national member ("Soci nazionali") in 1966. He remained active, frequently in the public eye, almost to the end. His many other memberships took in the Accademia dell'Arcadia, the Rome Philological Society, the European Culture Society and the PEN International. Between 1986 and 1990, along with his other engagements, Sapégno served as president of the Viareggio [literary] Prize. During the post-war decades Sapégno wrote and published extensively. Sources highlight, in particular, his collaboration with Emilio Cecchi on the "History of Italian Literature" ("Storia della letteratura italiana"), published by Garzanti in nine volumes between 1966 and 1969. Natalino Sapégno died in Rome on 11 April 1990. His physical remains were removed for burial to Aosta, identified by surviving family members as his home city, however. Output (selection) Natalino Sapégno foundation On 3 September 1991 the Regional Government of the Valle d'Aosta gave its backing to Sapégno's widow and their two daughters for the setting up of the "Centro di studi storico-letterari Natalino Sapegno" ("Natalino Sapegno History and Literature Study Centre") in order to honour Sapégno and perpetuate his memory, to be based at Morgex, twenty minutes up-river from the Aosta municipality along the road towards Mont Blanc and the tunnel. Notes References Writers from Aosta Italian literary critics Italian literary historians Medieval Italian literature University of Turin alumni Academic staff of the University of Bologna Academic staff of the University of Padua Academic staff of the University of Palermo Academic staff of the Sapienza University of Rome 1901 births 1975 deaths