Dun Karm was born at the village of Zebbug on the 18th. October 1871. His mother, Lunzjata Pisani, was a farmer whilst his father, Lippin, spent his life sailing between Malta and Greece and other countries. He received his education at the village primary school, and at the Archbishop's seminary. He was ordained priest in 1894.

After his ordination Dun Karm became a teacher at the Seminary. However in 1921, he was appointed Assistant Librarian at the Public Library. In the same year he was nominated an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Chapter.

As a student Dun Karm wrote poetry in Italian. He issued his first poetry book in 1896 with the name Foglie d'alloro. However in January 1912, he wrote his first poem in Maltese, and from that date onwards till 1954, he wrote a large number of poems in Maltese, covering all aspects of Maltese life. Amongst his works are the well known poem Il-Jien u Lil hinn Minnu and the sonnets Lil Mikiel Anton Vassalli. Dun Karm also compiled a Maltese-English Dictionary. In recognition of his literary merits, in 1945, the University of Malta conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Literature, Honoris Causa. During his lifteime he was also honoured with the title of Poet Laureat of Malta (National Poet of Malta).

Dun Karm lived for the greater part of his life in Sliema where he died on the 3rd. October 1961. He was buried in the cemetery of his birthplace, Zebbug.

In 1957, A.J. Arberry, Professor in Arabic at Pembroke College, Cambridge, visited Dun Karm at his home in Sliema and wrote the following in his anthology, Dun Karm Poet of Malta: "When I met Dun Karm he had recently entered upon his eighty-seventh year. I found him, a frail old man, but still in full possession of his great mental faculties. Wearing the soutane of the priesthood, with the crucifix on his breast, he made a powerful impression of true Christian humility... He offered me a glass of wine and we conversed amiably for over an hour... It seemed to me then... that this was a poet of more than local importance, his art and his message must reach the world, to which they truly belonged... I became increasingly convinced of his greatness."