Paul and Silvia Rava

Paul and Silvia Rava Memorial Lecture Series

Established in 1997 this lecture and funded by the family of Paul and Silvia Rava, this series is a highlight of the academic life in the department by engaging colleagues and students and friends of Italian from the Saint Louis area to ponder big thoughts, Italian style.

The lecture was established with a generous endowment by Mrs. Silvia Rava in the memory of her late husband, Paul, who died in 1997. In addition, her gift supports an annual prize to the most outstanding senior project or thesis in Italian.

About Paul Rava

A native of Venice, Paul Rava was born on Dec. 30, 1911. He graduated in 1933 from the law school of the University of Padua, where he later became a faculty member. In 1940, Mussolini's racial laws caused him to lose his state teaching position, and he came to this country. Within a few years he had graduated from Washington University Law School, having received one year of transfer credit for his Italian degree and his law teaching.

Upcoming Events

Visit our Events listing to see forthcoming Rava Memorial Lectures and other events from the Department of Romance Languages & Literature.

Event Listing