Silva, Ludovico

Ludovico Silva was a poet, philosopher, essayist, literary critic, and professor at the Universidad Central in Caracas, Venezuela. He authored over thirty books and was one of the founders of the magazine «Papeles». In the 1970's and 1980's, his writing turned to ideas of alienation, socialism, and Marxism. It was Silva who asked Merton about a typical day at the hermitage which prompted Merton to write one of his most famous pieces, "Day of a Stranger". Merton also wrote a prologue for Silva's poem and book, «Boom!!!». (Source: «The Courage for Truth», p. 223.)