Professor Corbino dies: Lo Surdo becomes director of the Rome Institute of Physics, where Fermi works. This is a devastating blow for Enrico, who loses his mentor, protector, and almost father figure. To make matters worse, Lo Surdo, a bitter rival of Corbino and Fermi, is appointed director of the institute in Corbino’s place. To make matters worse, a few months later, Guglielmo Marconi, Fermi’s great supporter and director of the CNR, dies.
