Danilo was the oldest of six children in a family which made its living through tanning, and which ran a small leather shop.

He graduated from the Gorizia State Grammar School in 1910 and entered the University of Vienna, where he studied medicine.

Upon finishing he returned to his birthplace with Jelka Špacapan, who was to become his wife, and began working as a doctor.

During World War II he was imprisoned by the Italian Fascist authorities in the concentration camp at Medea, in the Friuli region.

In 1959 he won the Prešeren Award, the highest Slovenian prize for artistic achievements, for his short story collection Sodni dan na Vasi ("Doomsday in the Village").