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Placido De Luca
Placido De Luca, (Bronte 28.9.1802 – Paris 1.11.1861), brother
of cardinal Antonino Saverio, was a great economist.
Author of important books of economic and statistic science was a
true defender of the principle of work and industry freedom. Began his studies at Bronte in the Capizzi College.
In 1822, just twenty, went
to Palermo; having graduated, four years later, started working as a
lawyer, getting straight away a big reputation.
Defending the interests of the Council in one of the many lawsuits
between the Dukedom and the citizens of Bronte, grieved of seeing the
oppressed poor people, sent, using the influence of his brother Antonino,
even a memorial to the English Parliament.
His passion for the economic science brought him in 1839
to Paris where was follower to Macarel and started an
affectionate friendship with Sismondi, Dègèrando and
with Pellegrino Rossi.
In 1842 was nominated professor of political economy to Catania
University and in 1845 to Naples
University were taught till 1859.
There weren't, in that period, manuals of political economy for
the students and the De Luca, published his lessons on a journal, "La
Falce", founded by him and others in Palermo.
Had started very young (26 years) to write the first essays in economic
matters but his first organic work, destined to the students, was
published in 1852: "Principi elementari della scienza economica"
(Elementary
principles of economic science).
In 1858 published the work that became famous, more than any other, "La
scienza delle finanze" (The
public finance) and, few years after, "Principi
elementari di statistica" (Elementary Principles of Statistics)
and "Sul
censimento della popolazione" (On the population
census).
In 1860, first brontese
parliamentarian, was nominated deputy in the college of Regalbuto
to the first sub alpine Parliament (with 334 votes over 455).
Was also a member of the Georgofili
Academy of Firenze.
Died, in November 1861, at Paris
where had gone to cure himself of an incurable illness, assisted by the
brother, the Cardinal Antonino Saverio, come from Vienna
where he was occupying the task of Nuncio.
Was buried in the Jory cemetery of Paris.
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Placido
De Luca loved music that played over several instruments,
and protected the young brontese painter Agostino Attinà (Bronte 1841 - 1893),
making him study in the Academy of Belle Arts of Naples.
The painter, for gratitude, portrayed the De Luca in various
paintings. |
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The great brontese
economist Placido De Luca. The Images are taken from the book the History of the City of Bronte" and (under) from "Two Sicilian
glories, the brothers De Luca" of Benedetto Radice. |
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