Titta Marini, a poet writing in the local dialect and an anti-conformist by nature, has always intrigued all who have met him personally or through his books. Including his friend Vincenzo Cardarelli who said of him: "Three quarters a buttero and a quarter poet…". He was part of the local scene in Tarquinia: he used to compose verses wherever he happened to be, reciting them to all and sundry, anywhere. His epigrams are found written on the walls of farms and gate posts…

Life
Giovan Battista Marini, a.k.a. Titta, was born in Tarquinia (formerly Corneto), the first of three (his sister died in infancy). Upon the death of their father, the two surviving sons split the estate and Titta, lazy by nature, quickly sold his part. He then enjoyed the good life until his money ran out and all he had left was a donkey, "Sor Luigi", and a few acres of land rented out.

With no political leanings, he made fun of the political parties, even the Fascists. He set up the "Fronte dell'Ozio" (Lazy Party) whose members were called "Ozzziosi". Their eccentric behaviour attracted the attention of the international press and top Roman society. In fact, Titta moved to Rome where he became a part of the elite. He received many an academic accolade in this period, including the "Lauro Tiberino" (poet laureate) in 1963: the only vernacular poet to do so after Gioacchino Belli. He also received the "Roma Award" for his poetry in dialect and Italian; in 1976 he was admitted to the European Academy of Arts and Culture.

However, his restless spirit grew tired of Rome and his success: in the mid 1960s he returned to Tarquinia. Having suffered from poor health towards the end, he died on 25th July 1982.