Commandante Gabriele d'Aunnunzio loved poetry and power. He was a womanising warmonger who inspired Mussolini. He led the group which occupied Free State of Fiume, now Rijeka in northern Croatia, for four years from 1920.

“He was a great literary figure and a public celebrity as well as being a national hero,” says the author Lucy Hughes-Hallett, who won the Samuel Johnson non-fiction prize for her autobiography of the Italian called The Pike.

In September 1919, d'Aunnunzio declared himself leader of a new utopia based on totalitarian principles. It would be the pinnacle of his career.

“He was both an intellectual and a man of action. He took himself out of the library onto the public stage when he took over Fiume.”

The writer, poet and playwright realised the importance of making one’s life as one does a work of art. Spin doctors and personality politicians are old hat nowadays. But d'Aunnunzio was ahead of the game, which is why Hughes-Hallett calls him a modern character.

“He was wise long before most politicians were to the fact that in a democratic world, where you depend on the public for the popular vote for your power and influence, you have to seduce them and you have to put on a show.”

He knew he would have to grip the public with appealing speeches, sound bites and photographs. He was constantly aware of how his personality was being presented to public.

The 700-page biography does not run chronologically. The former Evening Standard journalist wanted to write it like a gripping novel with mouth-watering tales from the off.

“My greatest anxiety was I would lose interest before I had finished. But I was repeatedly astonished by him, however shocking, it was never dull.”

She also wanted to explore in writing the way in which ideas which have their origin in early 19th century romanticism – and sound lovely when people such as Shelley or Keats are expressing them – can, when taken to their logical conclusion, seem very callous and cruel.

“Keats said truth is beauty that is all you need to know, but actually that is simply not true. Beauty and truth are completely different things and if you over value beauty or truth you can lose sight of other values such as human kindness and passion.”

 

Lucy Hughes-Hallett, The Pike - Gabriele d'Annunzio: Poet, Seducer and Preacher of War is at Lewes Speakers Festival All Saints Centre, Friars Walk, Lewes, Saturday, July 19, 11.45am.

Festival pass, £80. One-day pass, £45. Two-day pass, £70. Single event tickets are £12.50. Call 0333 666 3366. Visit www.lewesspeakers festival.com for full line-up.