Carlo Magri

Carlo Magri (c. 1617 – 25 October 1693) (nom-de-plume Marco Largi) was a Maltese priest, scholar, and dramatist. He served as the Archpriest of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Victoria and was also appointed as the first Primo Custode (Head Librarian or Prefect) of the Biblioteca Alessandrina.

Early life and education Carlo Magri is believed to have been born around 1617 to Luigi Magri and Susanna née Casauro. Records indicate he had a Maltese father and an Italian mother. He began his education at the Jesuit College in Valletta (Collegium Melitense) before moving to Rome to continue his studies. He furthered his education at the same university, where he earned a Doctorate in utroque iure (in both civil and canon law). During this period, he was also appointed a Protonotario Apostolico (Apostolic Protonotary) and was elected as a prelate to the Roman Curia (Curia romana).

Return to Gozo and archpriesthood Magri returned to Malta around 1680–1681, reportedly due to declining eyesight. He was appointed Archpriest of the Gozo Matrice (Cathedral of the Assumption, Victoria), the primary church on the island of Gozo, by Apostolic Letters dated 10 February 1681. The project gained the support of Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri.

Before construction began, the old church structure was severely damaged in an earthquake on 11 January 1693. Magri died before the new building project advanced. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 21 September 1697 by his successor, Fr. Nicolò-Natale Cassia-Magri, The building was consecrated on 11 October 1716. The first of the two achieved greater success, not only in Italy but also in other European countries.

Beyond his dramatic work, his output also includes a Latin translation and expansion of Hierolexicon (1677), a theological dictionary written by his brother, Domenico Magri; a pamphlet defending Maltese valour - specifically the Knights of Jerusalem based in Valletta - against the criticisms of Girolamo Brusoni; and a letter to Abbot Cornelio Margarini concerning paintings from the seventh century onward. His initiatives led to the construction of the current Gozo Cathedral, and his dramatic works are considered examples of Maltese literary activity in the 17th century.