COMBA, EMILIO. — Waldensian pastor and historian, b. at S. Germano Chisone (Pinerolo) on 31 Aug. 1839, d. at Guttanen (Switzerland) on 3 Sept. 1904. After completing his early studies in nearby Torre Pellice, he went to Geneva, where, placing himself under the guidance of Merlé d’Aubigné, he completed his theological training. On returning to Italy, he began publishing numerous writings on religious subjects of a polemical character, and from his earliest efforts showed a particular aptitude for active propaganda. He then went to central Italy and resided chiefly at Perugia, where he had contact with Card. Pecci, the future Leo XIII, and engaged in theological controversy with him.
Having been appointed pastor, he was first sent to small towns in northern Italy, then settled in Venice, where he remained from 1867 to 1872. There, besides devoting himself to historical work, he helped to found an evangelical church. Subsequently transferred to Florence, where he had been called by the Waldensian school there, he founded La Rivista cristiana, which existed from 1873 to 1887.
Among C.’s writings, the following should chiefly be mentioned: Francesco Spiera (Florence, 1872); Storia dei martiri della Riforma italiana (Turin, 1879); Histoire des Vaudois d'Italie (ibid., 1887); Claudio di Torino (Florence, 1895); I nostri protestanti (2 vols., ibid., 1895–97).