Robert Samut
Encyclopedia
Robert Samut M.B., CH.M (12 October 1869 – 26 May 1934) was a Maltese
doctor and musician. He is best known for writing the music for the Maltese National Anthem.
, Malta. He studied medicine at the Royal University of Malta
and at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.B. and Ch.M. and also obtained a medal for the exceptional ability in anatomy
.
From his very youth he had shown musical inclinations, and at one time had wanted to study music, but his father did not approve, and consequently Robert continued his career in medicine, following in the footsteps of two elder brothers, who were already well known doctors.
from Edinburgh
, he was appointed Professor of Physiology
and Bacteriology
at the Royal University of Malta
. He was also nominated specialist of Pathology at the Central Civil Hospital in Floriana
(a building which now houses the Island's Police HQ).
In 1897 Prof. Robert Samut joined the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia as Lieutenant Surgeon. He was promoted to Captain in 1900 and Major in 1909.
Immediately following the earthquake at Messina in 1908, he rushed to the devastate city to give his help. His meritorious service was recognised by the King of Italy, who named him Cavaliere Ufficiale della Corona d’Italia, and also by the award of the Red Cross Diploma.
In 1915, during the First World War, he was posted with his regiment to Cyprus where he was given command of the Forest Military Hospital in Limassol. His work was highly acclaimed and was mentioned in various despatches and also received the General Service Medal.
in addition to the two posts he already had. It was this position that eventually was to cause his death. He had been asked to carry out an autopsy on a woman who had died with a strange illness and for reasons that are not well understood, he was infected with her illness.
Even though Prof. Robert Samut was busy with these positions, he still used to pay house calls to his patients. The period following the First World War, and even more so with the events that led the 1919 Sette Gugnio riots, many of the Floriana
residents were very poor and therefore he used to treat them free of charge.
he had once been asked to sing the Maltese Anthem, and the fact that Malta did not have one, induced him to do something about it.
He therefore wrote some simple notes, which the pressure of work made him forget. Then one day in the early 1920s having been asked by Dr. Albert Laferla, the then Director of Elementary Schools, to compose a hymn for school children, Robert remembered those simple notes, and used them to compose the present hymn. Thus Samut became one of those who gave Malta its national identity.
Dr. Laferla then took that music to the National Poet Dun Karm (Mgr. Karm Psaila, D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)), who wrote the verses. It is reported that Dun Karm had stated that this was not the usual practice, as normally music was composed to the verses and not vice versa. Nevertheless a beautiful prayer to God from the Maltese people saw the light of day.
The hymn was subsequently donated to the people of Malta.
In the meantime the ball that he had started rolling was gathering momentum. On Saturday, 3 February 1923, the “Innu Malti” was played for the first time in public during a concert at the Manoel Theatre.
For a number of years the “Innu” was played only during the 8th September celebrations. Then in 1936, the King’s Own Band Club commissioned Mro. V. Ciappara to prepare a full score for the band, and played that hymn on the 8th September of the same year. Other bands soon followed their example.
In 1938 an English translation prepared by Miss M. Butcher appeared in the Times of Malta.
Samut was not to see the growth of his music. He was taken to Australia with the hope that a long sea voyage might be of benefit to his health but it proved to be quite the contrary. Thus after only a short stay at that colony he returned to Malta and lived for a number of years in Sliema
, with one of his daughters.
He died peacefully at the age of 64 years, just after noon, on the 26th May 1934, and was buried in the Portelli Chapel at the Addolorata Cemetery.
The 1964 Independence Constitution, Chapter One (The State), Section 4 states that the National Anthem of these islands is to be the “Innu Malti”. This was also confirmed by the “Republic” constitution. Thus finally, the music, written with the passion of a patriot, a hymn made into a prayer by a national poet, was crowned with the highest glory. Eventually an Act of Parliament laid down the exact format of the music and how it should be played. All this heralded a new era to the historic Maltese Islands, an era for which the Maltese had been fighting for many centuries. History is built step by step, but surely one of the foundation stones of the future history of Malta is the music of Robert Samut.
On the 26th May 1968 Dr. Giorgio Borg Olivier
, then Prime Minister of Independent Malta, in the presence of the Governor General and Lady Dorman, of His Grace Mgr Michael Gonzi
, and many other personalities, unveiled a marble plaque on the façade of the Lion House to commemorate the birthplace of Prof. Samut. A leaflet, designed by the great artist Emvin Cremona was also printed for the occasion.
Further up the same street there is also a concert hall named in his honour.
Recipients of the Order of the Crown of Italy
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
doctor and musician. He is best known for writing the music for the Maltese National Anthem.
Early life
Samut was born at the Lion House in FlorianaFloriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
, Malta. He studied medicine at the Royal University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
and at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.B. and Ch.M. and also obtained a medal for the exceptional ability in anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
.
From his very youth he had shown musical inclinations, and at one time had wanted to study music, but his father did not approve, and consequently Robert continued his career in medicine, following in the footsteps of two elder brothers, who were already well known doctors.
Military career
On his return to MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, he was appointed Professor of Physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
and Bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
at the Royal University of Malta
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
. He was also nominated specialist of Pathology at the Central Civil Hospital in Floriana
Floriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
(a building which now houses the Island's Police HQ).
In 1897 Prof. Robert Samut joined the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia as Lieutenant Surgeon. He was promoted to Captain in 1900 and Major in 1909.
Immediately following the earthquake at Messina in 1908, he rushed to the devastate city to give his help. His meritorious service was recognised by the King of Italy, who named him Cavaliere Ufficiale della Corona d’Italia, and also by the award of the Red Cross Diploma.
In 1915, during the First World War, he was posted with his regiment to Cyprus where he was given command of the Forest Military Hospital in Limassol. His work was highly acclaimed and was mentioned in various despatches and also received the General Service Medal.
Medical career
Also in 1915, following the death of his brother, Prof. Carmelo Samut, he was appointed Professor of Anatomy and Pathology at the Royal University of MaltaUniversity of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
in addition to the two posts he already had. It was this position that eventually was to cause his death. He had been asked to carry out an autopsy on a woman who had died with a strange illness and for reasons that are not well understood, he was infected with her illness.
Even though Prof. Robert Samut was busy with these positions, he still used to pay house calls to his patients. The period following the First World War, and even more so with the events that led the 1919 Sette Gugnio riots, many of the Floriana
Floriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
residents were very poor and therefore he used to treat them free of charge.
Maltese National Anthem
It was during this period that the Maltese National Anthem was born. Back in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
he had once been asked to sing the Maltese Anthem, and the fact that Malta did not have one, induced him to do something about it.
He therefore wrote some simple notes, which the pressure of work made him forget. Then one day in the early 1920s having been asked by Dr. Albert Laferla, the then Director of Elementary Schools, to compose a hymn for school children, Robert remembered those simple notes, and used them to compose the present hymn. Thus Samut became one of those who gave Malta its national identity.
Dr. Laferla then took that music to the National Poet Dun Karm (Mgr. Karm Psaila, D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)), who wrote the verses. It is reported that Dun Karm had stated that this was not the usual practice, as normally music was composed to the verses and not vice versa. Nevertheless a beautiful prayer to God from the Maltese people saw the light of day.
The hymn was subsequently donated to the people of Malta.
Later years
In 1922 Samut was promoted to Lt. Colonel, but by now he was feeling the effects of the virus he contracted from the autopsy and his health was failing. He became an invalid and suffered his sickness till his death.In the meantime the ball that he had started rolling was gathering momentum. On Saturday, 3 February 1923, the “Innu Malti” was played for the first time in public during a concert at the Manoel Theatre.
For a number of years the “Innu” was played only during the 8th September celebrations. Then in 1936, the King’s Own Band Club commissioned Mro. V. Ciappara to prepare a full score for the band, and played that hymn on the 8th September of the same year. Other bands soon followed their example.
In 1938 an English translation prepared by Miss M. Butcher appeared in the Times of Malta.
Samut was not to see the growth of his music. He was taken to Australia with the hope that a long sea voyage might be of benefit to his health but it proved to be quite the contrary. Thus after only a short stay at that colony he returned to Malta and lived for a number of years in Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
, with one of his daughters.
He died peacefully at the age of 64 years, just after noon, on the 26th May 1934, and was buried in the Portelli Chapel at the Addolorata Cemetery.
Legacy
All the people of the Maltese Islands soon accepted the “Innu Malti” and it was customary that it be played on all occasions in conjunction with the “God Save the King”. Later, when Malta obtained autonomy, the “Innu” was played for the Prime Minister.The 1964 Independence Constitution, Chapter One (The State), Section 4 states that the National Anthem of these islands is to be the “Innu Malti”. This was also confirmed by the “Republic” constitution. Thus finally, the music, written with the passion of a patriot, a hymn made into a prayer by a national poet, was crowned with the highest glory. Eventually an Act of Parliament laid down the exact format of the music and how it should be played. All this heralded a new era to the historic Maltese Islands, an era for which the Maltese had been fighting for many centuries. History is built step by step, but surely one of the foundation stones of the future history of Malta is the music of Robert Samut.
On the 26th May 1968 Dr. Giorgio Borg Olivier
Giorgio Borg Olivier
Giorgio Borg Olivier was twice Prime Minister of Malta as the Leader of the Nationalist Party. He was also Leader of the Opposition between 1955 and 1958 and again between 1971 and 1977. He resigned from Leader of the Nationalist Party in 1977 and was succeeded by Eddie Fenech Adami...
, then Prime Minister of Independent Malta, in the presence of the Governor General and Lady Dorman, of His Grace Mgr Michael Gonzi
Mikiel Gonzi
Monsignor Sir Michael Gonzi, KBE, DD was Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Malta...
, and many other personalities, unveiled a marble plaque on the façade of the Lion House to commemorate the birthplace of Prof. Samut. A leaflet, designed by the great artist Emvin Cremona was also printed for the occasion.
Further up the same street there is also a concert hall named in his honour.
Recipients of the Order of the Crown of Italy