Gino Barbieri (1913-1989) was one of the greatest Italian economic historians. He was born in Legnago, and studied with Amintore Fanfani. He started his academic career first in Cagliari, then in Bari, Padua and Verona, where he contributed to the foundation of the economics faculty together with Giorgio Zanotto. He then became the Head of the Department of Economics, and President of the Cassa di Risparmio di Verona, Vicenza, Belluno e Ancona. He was able to combine with both his academic and banking activities a broad interdisciplinary culture, a knowledge of the inner workings of the economy, and a great respect for his cultural heritage.