Le risorse per i salari dei professori nel primo secolo di attività dell’Università di Torino - The resources for professor salaries in the first century of the University of Turin’s activity

Abstract

The essay analyzes the forms of funding for the salaries of professors at the University of Turin from its establishment to the French occupation of the city in 1536. It also references other indirect sources of income that supplemented the salaries, such as the tax privileges and exemptions traditionally granted to professors. The strong interventions of the seigneurial power (Prince Ludovic of Achaea and, from 1418, Savoy dukes), aimed at involving the city of Turin and the Principatus in financing are highlighted. Initially, this was accomplished through the imposition of extraordinary subsidies, and from 1424 onwards, through a regular tax. Finally, in 1441, this tax was replaced by a ducal contribution and a subsidy provided by the Commune of Turin. The revenue sources allocated to the University by the cities that hosted the institution (Turin, and for some years, Chieri and Savigliano) are presented here through an analysis of surviving financial records of the Commune.

Keywords

• Professors’ salaries (15th-16th cent.)
• Universities’ funding
• Professors’ rolls
• University privileges
• University of Turin
• Commune finances