Tusiani published works in four languages: Italian, Latin, English, and Gargano, the dialect of his birthplace in the Apulia region of Italy.
[1] Born in the Apulia region of Italy, Tusiani earned his Ph.D. in Letters from the University of Naples in 1947.
He emigrated to the United States the following year, settling in the Arthur Avenue neighborhood of the Bronx.
[2] He received the AATI Distinguished Service Award in 1986, and the Keys to the City of Florence in 2007 for his contributions to literature.
[3] A scholarship was established in his name at Lehman College to support students interested in Italian-American culture.