Harry Smith (1923–1991) was a filmmaker, painter, anthropologist, alchemist, and artist of the twentieth century. Peter Valente is a writer, editor, translator, and filmmaker. He was born in Salerno, Italy, in 1970 and grew up in New Jersey. The author of 12 books and the translator of several influential works, including Gérard de Nerval’s The Illuminated, he lives in North Carolina.