Carmel Testa


Carmel Testa

Dr Carmelo Testa, a former Attorney-General and author of books on Maltese history, particularly the French occupation

Dr Testa was born in Valletta in 1929 and graduated as a lawyer in 1952.

In 1962 he became parliamentary correspondent for Allied Newspapers Ltd and later served as editor of Il-Berqa, the now defunct Maltese-language daily.

He joined the Attorney General's office in 1971 and became Attorney General in 1988 before retiring the following year.

Dr Testa published two books on the French occupation - a three-volume work, Maz-Zewg Nahat tas-Swar (On Either Side of the Bastions) and The French in Malta.

He also wrote The Life and Times of Grand Master Pinto 1741-1773 and a biography of the knight Romegas, his last publication, in 2003.

Dr Testa, who lived in Qormi, was married to Mary and had three children - Antoinette, Josette and Mario. He passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at the age of 77. His funeral was held on Friday, November 24, 2006.