The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations Endowment for Medieval and Renaissance Italian Studies was established in 1993. The late Mr. Davis was prominent in the industrial and business history of the United States, spending almost his entire career at Alcoa, the world’s leading producer of primary aluminum and fabricated aluminum. The original foundation was organized under a living trust he established before his death in 1962. It remains firmly committed to honorable service to society in memory of Davis, a man of vision, courage, and generosity.

The Endowment for Medieval and Renaissance Italian Studies significantly affects the University’s programs in medieval studies, theology, and Italian literature. Recently, it funded the acquisition of several important cinquecento and seicento titles in Italian studies, helping to transform an already exceptionally strong Dante collection into an international resource for Italian Renaissance literature.

It has also made possible the enhancement of the medieval authors database and the international Internet resource, ItalNet, as well as the acquisition of two medieval manuscripts. The foundation also created the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations Endowment for Humanities.