Tra camici bianchi e camicie nere: il Regio Istituto di Chimica della Sapienza durante il Ventennio fascista

The article reconstructs the history of the Regio Istituto di Chimica of the University of Rome “La Sapienza” during the Fascist period, focusing on the directorship of Nicola Parravano (1923–1938), one of the most influential Italian chemists of his time and a key figure in the regime’s scientific policy. Through archival evidence preserved at La Sapienza, the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL, and the Central State Archives, the study explores the transformation of the Institute from the liberal age of Emanuele Paternò to the fascist decades, when scientific practice became increasingly subordinated to political and industrial imperatives. Parravano’s career, marked by the convergence of academic, governmental, and industrial roles, exemplifies the new model of the “fascist scientist,” engaged in the service of the nation’s autarchic and militaristic goals. His efforts to align chemical education with industrial needs, the creation of the “Chimica di guerra” course, and the close cooperation with the CNR highlight the deep reconfiguration of Italian scientific institutions under Fascism. Yet, the analysis also reveals the ambiguities and contradictions of Parravano’s legacy: while he promoted the integration of pure and applied research, he simultaneously contributed to the ideological instrumentalization of science. The study concludes by reflecting on the decline of his posthumous reputation, overshadowed by his unwavering loyalty to the regime and by the moral and intellectual compromises that defined his generation of scientists