This issue of the JMIS provides an opportunity to express our sorrow at the loss of four scholars who many of us knew best as colleagues, friends or mentors, and to celebrate their outstanding contributions to the study of modern Italy. Percy, the political scientist, Paul and Stuart, the historians, were British by birth, as well as Italian - Neapolitan, Piedmontese, Florentine - by election. Gianni was Venetian by birth, but his career as the foremost (and outside Italy best known) economic historian of 19^th and 20^th century Italy brought him into contact with British and American economic historians, and he had long established teaching commitments in both countries.

Over a period that spans nearly six decades, all four brought fresh perspectives to the study of modern Italy, its politics, economy, culture and history. Their individual careers and contributions are discussed in the essays that follow by Luciano Brancaccio, Kate Ferris, Giovanni Farese and John Davis, offering perspectives that show how their work has inspired scholars of modern Italy from different generations and national backgrounds.