Banca d'Italia makes Paolo Baffi's digitized diaries available for public consultation

3 October 2025

Paolo Baffi's diaries have recently been digitized and are now available for consultation by researchers. They consist of 24 small-format volumes discovered in the Honorary Governor's study in 1989, shortly after his death.

The diaries cover the period from 1944 to 1980, detailing a long and intense professional life at the Bank that began when the author was appointed Head of the Research Department as a young economist. In accordance with his instructions and wishes, the transcriptions exclude anything relating to his personal and private life.

This documentary source is of considerable scientific interest, and is Baffi's personal and direct testimony, as he intended to leave a tangible record of Italy's economic and political events from the post-World War II period to the 'anni di piombo' "(years of lead)". These memoirs also provide insights into the former Governor's academic career, his numerous interlocutors, and events in the history of Banca d'Italia, which he represented in both national and international fora.

The diaries are part of the 'Carte Baffi' archival collection, whose inventory is available in the Archive guides.

For information on how to access the 'Carte Baffi' and Banca d'Italia's Historical Archives (ASBI), please go to the following link.