Archivists before and after the Risorgimento

The establishment and theoretical development

Abstract

This paper intends to show how to transfer, through the system of training for human resources, the enormous documentary heritage created by the states of the Ancien Régime in the Italian peninsula. It is especially focused on the following arguments: the ability and selection methods of an archivist as a specialist of archival administration; the transition of school organization and education; and the archival theory developed by representative archivists in the early 20th century.

Originally, the schools of the State Archive in Italy were established in various places for the main purpose of teaching paleography. However, as the archivistʼs job became more specialized, the essential requisites also advanced and it became more difficult to gain the qualification. Meanwhile, lectures on archival science were developed at universities in order to become highly theorized, provide a broader perspective, and cultivate practical abilities.