Umberto Eco was born in 1932 in Italy and passed away in 2016. His academic background was initially in medieval philosophy and literature, which this novel showcases with vigor- the historical and cultural references to the period reveal his expertise and intense interest in this area. He also received several honorary Doctorates of Letters throughout his lifetime from various institutions. He had varied philosophical and academic interests, but is especially known for his work in semiotics- broadly, the formal study of signs and symbols in the context of communication and thought. He published several novels in addition to The Name of the Rose, as well as writing prolifically on semiotics and related fields academically, albeit mostly in Italian. He has held faculty positions, functioned as a scholarly researcher, and was in general a man of letters with boundless interests and an undeniable genius that is apparent in all of his works.
“I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma,
a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad
attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.”
― Umberto Eco, Foucault's Pendulum
a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad
attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.”
― Umberto Eco, Foucault's Pendulum
Links
Author's official website
The author's officially maintain web presence, with a wealth of further biographical information, links to lectures and critical works regarding the author, his curriculum vitae, and many other resources related to his life, work, and research in semiotics and other topics.
Umberto Eco Links
Related biographical information, works, news stories, and critical works from a third-party website from a collection of pages on postmodern authors and works maintained by the literature review "Bohemian Ink".
Eco's Occult Profile
Third-party site included in links on official website including information relating to the author's metaphysical statistics such as numerology, tarot, rune, biorhythm, etc. Eco had interests in the occult and esoteric studies, and so this is included here as it was also deemed pertinent to his official website.
The author's officially maintain web presence, with a wealth of further biographical information, links to lectures and critical works regarding the author, his curriculum vitae, and many other resources related to his life, work, and research in semiotics and other topics.
Umberto Eco Links
Related biographical information, works, news stories, and critical works from a third-party website from a collection of pages on postmodern authors and works maintained by the literature review "Bohemian Ink".
Eco's Occult Profile
Third-party site included in links on official website including information relating to the author's metaphysical statistics such as numerology, tarot, rune, biorhythm, etc. Eco had interests in the occult and esoteric studies, and so this is included here as it was also deemed pertinent to his official website.
Online Resources
"Umberto Eco in his Own Words" by Torkild Thellefsen and Bent Sørensen
E-book of a collection of essays regarding Eco himself as well as his work in semiotics and the field in general.
"Umberto Eco, The Da Vinci Code, and the Intellectual in the Age of Popular Culture" by Douglass Merrell
Biographical work available as e-book focusing on the author's philosophical development throughout his lifespan, and his work in semiotics.
Eco's Chaosmos : From the Middle Ages to Postmodernity by Cristina Farronato
E-book by a single author with an extensive discussion on Eco's complete body of work as well as an analysis of his philosophy and areas of study.
E-book of a collection of essays regarding Eco himself as well as his work in semiotics and the field in general.
"Umberto Eco, The Da Vinci Code, and the Intellectual in the Age of Popular Culture" by Douglass Merrell
Biographical work available as e-book focusing on the author's philosophical development throughout his lifespan, and his work in semiotics.
Eco's Chaosmos : From the Middle Ages to Postmodernity by Cristina Farronato
E-book by a single author with an extensive discussion on Eco's complete body of work as well as an analysis of his philosophy and areas of study.
Print Resources
"New Essays on Umberto Eco" edited by Peter Bondanella
Print book of a collection of essays discussing various aspects of the author's life and work.
"On Eco" by Gary P. Radford
Biographical work also providing criticisms of the author's works, philosophy, and research.
Print book of a collection of essays discussing various aspects of the author's life and work.
"On Eco" by Gary P. Radford
Biographical work also providing criticisms of the author's works, philosophy, and research.