Gilbert Bagnani’s legacy at Trent is literally written on the walls of the institution. Now, a new publication by Trent University Archaeological Research Centre research fellow, Dr. Ian Begg, highlights the early adventures of this distinguished Italian archaeologist and art historian.

Lost Worlds of Ancient and Modern Greece: The Adventures of a Young Italian Archaeologist in Greece, 1921-1924 takes a deeper look at the early work of Gilbert Bagnani, who taught at Trent University for 10 years and left a significant part of his estate to the University.

“It was while teaching at Trent that I heard mention of the legendary Bagnani family. In January 1998, when I heard that their papers had arrived at the Trent Archives, I rushed to look at them and spent many happy hours and eventually years ‘digging’ in the archives,” Professor Begg shares.

Trent University founding president, Professor Thomas H.B. Symons, played an instrumental role in Prof. Begg’s research and ultimately the publication thereof.

“Prof. Symons has been absolutely indispensable in my pursuit of the research. He was one of Gilbert Bagnani’s students at the University College in Toronto, and was their neighbour in Toronto. When he became the founding president of Trent, Prof. Symons invited both Gilbert, and his wife, Stewart to teach part-time at the University. Both during and after his tenure as chair of the Gilbert and Stewart Bagnani Endowment’s trustees, he has provided enthusiastic and financial support of my research throughout the many years,” says Prof. Begg.  “That is why I dedicated the book to Prof. Symons – he is a living link to both Gilbert and Stewart Bagnani.”.

Read more about this new book.