Emilia Franceschini: the first librarian at the University of Florence

Abstract

Emilia Franceschini’s first job was in her father's bookshop, where intellectuals used to meet. In 1918 she started working at the Library of the Branch of Medicine and Surgery of the Institute of Higher Practical and Advanced Studies, in Florence. She was the first woman to be mentioned among the staff of the Institution, which would become the University of Florence in 1924.
Franceschini also devoted herself a great deal to translating, and published numerous cultural articles. In the library she mainly dealt with cataloguing of both modern and rare books and, in addition, she reorganised some archival fonds.
Despite the fact that she earned recognition and respect for her work, she never succeeded in covering the role of ‘librarian’ at the University; even though a position was opened in 1923, because women were prevented from participating.
In 1929 she contributed to set up the first National Exhibition of the History of Science, curating the exhibition of rare printed books and manuscripts of the Library.
She died in 1933 at the age of 68.