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| Luigi Einaudi (1874–1961) Italian economist and statesman, the first President (1948-55) of the Republic
of Italy. In 1936-43 he was the editor of Rivista di storia economica ('Review
of Economic History'), which was suppressed by the Fascists, of whom he was an
unwavering opponent. In 1943 he fled to Switzerland. Returning to Italy in 1945,
Einaudi was appointed governor of the Bank of Italy (1945-48). He was a member
of the Constituent Assembly (1946-48), becoming deputy prime minister and
minister of the budget (1947), a new post in which he successfully curbed
inflation and stabilised the currency. In 1948 Einaudi became a member of the
Senate of the Italian republic and on 11th May its first President. His term
lasted until 1955. |