 Once he studied accounting in Messina (from 1914 to 1922) he received a law degree from the Florence college in 1925.He became professor of Roman Law there in 1933 and his openness helped him achieve a cordial relationship with his students.On the eve of World War II he founded the review "Principi" (in English, "Principles") which promoted human rights and criticized Fascism in an open manner.