Hugo Pratt origin, his maternal grandfather was of Marrano (Jewish) descent, and his grandmother was of Turkish origin. He was also related to actor Boris Karloff (né William Henry Pratt). In 1937, Pratt moved with his mother to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), joining his father who was working there following the conquest of that country by Benito Mussolini's Italy. Pratt's father, a professional Italian soldier, was captured in 1941 by British troops and in late 1942, died from disease as a prisoner of war. The same year, Hugo Pratt and his mother were interned in a prison camp at Dirédaoua, where he would buy
Richard Henry Pratt Richard Henry Pratt Brigadier General Richard Henry Pratt (December 6, 1840 – March 15, 1924) is best known as the founder and longtime superintendent of the influential Carlisle Indian Industrial School at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is associated with the first recorded use of the word "racism," which he used in 1902 to criticize against racial segregation. Pratt is also known for using the phrase "kill the Indian... and save the man" in reference to the ethos of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and efforts to forcibly educate Native Americans. Pratt was born on December 6, 1840 in Rushford, New York