Emilio De Marchi

Born in Milan in 1851, Emilio De Marchi became one of the notable Italian novelists of his time. He is closely associated with fiction that captures everyday life in Milan and the wider Lombardy region, giving his work a strong sense of place and social detail.

He is best known today for The Priest's Hat (Il cappello del prete), first published in the 1880s and widely regarded as an early Italian crime novel. The book helped secure his reputation with readers thanks to its suspenseful plot and memorable atmosphere.

De Marchi continued writing until his death in 1901. His novels remain of interest not only as lively stories, but also as portraits of Italian society at the end of the nineteenth century.