Biography

Corrado Augias (Italian pronunciation: [korˈraːdo ˈaudʒas]; born 26 January 1935) is an Italian journalist, writer and TV host. He was also a member of the European Parliament in 1994–1999 for the Democratic Party of the Left. Augias was born and raised in Rome in a family of French (from Toulon) and more ancestrally Sardinian origin on his father's side, an air force officer, and of Jewish origin on that of his mother. He became popular in Italy as the host of several shows dealing with mysteries and cases of the past, such as Telefono giallo and Enigma. His current show is Città segrete, aired by Rai 3.

As writer, Augias issued a series of crime novels set in the early 20th century and others. His other works include several essays about peculiar features of some cities around the world: I segreti di ("The Secrets of...") Rome, Paris, New York City and London. In 2006, in collaboration with scholar Mauro Pesce, he published a work dealing with the gospel's description of the life of Jesus (Inchiesta su Gesù), which became a bestseller in Italy. The book elicited many reactions, for example Pietro Ciavarella and Valerio Bernardi wrote Risposta a Inchiesta su Gesù, aiming to provide "informed and constructive apologetics".As a journalist, Augias worked for La Repubblica, L'Espresso and Panorama. He has also been a playwright. He is atheist.In December 2020, he renounced his Knight Grand Cross of the French Legion of Honour, after the decoration was awarded to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.