The FONDAZIONE LUIGI EINAUDI of Turin, Italy

The Fondazione was created in 1964 with the irrevocable donation of the unique library of Luigi Einaudi, the economist and statesman who served as Governor of the Central Bank and, from 1948 to 1955, as the first President of Italy.

Recognized by presidential degree in 1966 as a non-profit educational institution, the Fondazione's academic policies are determined by an independent council of scholars from Italy, Switzerland and the United States. The Board of Directors is made up of individuals appointed by the Italian government, the University of Turin, and Piedmontese state and local governments, banking and industry. Finances are reviewed by a five-member board of Accountants appointed individually by the Italian Government, the State of Piedmont and the City and University of Turin.

In 1970, Giovanni Agnelli and Fiat generously made available on a cost-free long-term basis the Palazzo d'Azeglio, whose non-historic floors have been adapted to house the Fondazione's collections.

The Library now has more than 230,000 volumes, focused on economic theory and practise, European history, and international affairs. The rare books section contains more than 10,000 titles, among them the world's leading collection of mercantilist and physiocratic writings, with originals of du Pont de Nemours and Cantillon, and first editions of Smith, Malthus, Ricardo, Owen and Rousseau. Holdings include 3,200 periodicals, among them the world's most complete set of the Economist (1843-present) and complete runs of the Economic Journal (1891-present), the Quarterly Journal of Economics (1886-present), the American Economic Review (1911-present) and the Review of Economics and Statistics (1919-present).

The Archives, declared a national asset in 1991 for historic and diplomatic significance, contain the private papers and letters of Luigi Einaudi and of F.S. Nitti, P. Thaon di Revel, A. Rocca, R. Michels, G. Prato, M. Einaudi, M. Brosio, A. Geisser, L. Pietromarchi, F. Venturi, A. Cabiati, A. Monti, R. Romano, G.L. Osti, F. Reviglio and G. Busino - a total of more than 400,000 documents.

Research Grants have benefitted more than 700 scholars for graduate and postgraduate studies at leading universities in England, the United States and Europe.
Seminars, Study Groups, and International Conferences cover economics, the history of thought, and foreign affairs.

Publications include the Annals of the Foundation (40 Vols), Studies (45 Vols), and a series on the classics of economic and political thought.

This 44-year history of pre-eminence has led to visits by a quarter of a million scholars, 15% from outside Turin, many from outside Italy. Relationships with the Colegio de México in Mexico and with Cornell University in the United States have given the Foundation an international dimension, facilitating research on regional integration, comparative models of employment and social policy, and contemporary political and economic thought.