Olivia Rossetti Agresti (20 September 1875–1960) was a British activist, author, editor, and interpreter. A member of one of England's most prominent artistic and literary families, her unconventional political trajectory began with anarchism, continued with the League of Nations, and ended with Italian Fascism.
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Personal life
Olivia Frances Madox Rossetti was born on 20 September 1875 to William Michael Rossetti and Lucy Madox Brown. Lucy's father, Ford Madox Brown, painted Lucy and Olivia in 1876.
A member of one of England's most prominent artistic and literary families, her unconventional political trajectory began with anarchism, continued with the League of Nations, and ended with Italian Fascism. Her involvement with the latter led to an important correspondence and friendship with Ezra Pound, who mentions her twice in The Cantos.
Publishing
While still in their girlhood, Olivia and her sister, the future Helen Rossetti Angeli (1879–1969), began publishing an anarchist journal, The Torch. Years later, using the pseudonym "Isabel Meredith", Olivia and Helen published A Girl Among the Anarchists, a somewhat fictionalized memoir of their days as precocious child revolutionaries.
Selected works
1903. A Girl Among the Anarchists (co-authored with her sister Helen under the pseudonym "Isabel Meredith"). London: Duckworth Press.edition Internet Archive
1904. Giovanni Costa: His Life, Work, and Times. London: Grant Richards.
1920. "LEAGUE OF AGRICULTURE; How Institute David Lubin Founded Will Supplement Greater League of Nations", New York Times, 23 May, Page XX16
1922. David Lubin: A Study in Practical Idealism. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 2nd edition, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1941.
1938. The Organization of the Arts and Professions in the Fascist Guild State (co-authored with Mario Missiroli). Rome: Laboremus