The Spanish Expelled Jesuits and the Education of Italian Élites (1767-1815)

Abstract

The exile of Spanish jesuits (1767-1815) produced several cultural, social and economic effects on the Italian society. Some Iberian, American and Philippine fathers began to be appreciated by the Italian élites, especially in the North Center region of Italy: such a new period started since 1773, when Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus. They tried to enter the education sphere, mainly as private tutors of aristocratic and patrician young scions. This success originated from numerous reasons. First of all, they offered a education which joined a traditional outlook with a modern one, linked with Enlightenment culture; in other words, their «educational supply» met a specific «demand» coming from the italian élites. In addition, to be foreigners gave a cosmopolitan dimension to their teaching. At last, several Spanish Jesuits who cohabited with or attended the italian aristocracy’s houses often held (or shared out) a plurality of offices: they were not only tutors, but also librarians, secretaries, administrators and spiritual directors, so much so that some of them complained to be exploited by their employers.

Keywords

• Jesuitas
• Ilustración
• educación
• élites
• preceptores
• práctica docente