Francisco Murillo Ferrol and the First Studies of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Valencia

Abstract

Francisco Murillo Ferrol was a professor of political law at the University of Valencia from his access to the chair in 1952; until his departure to the University of Granada in 1961. He was the first stable profesor this discipline had in Valencia since 1932. When arriving; he was a professor trained in philosophy of law who had done some reflections on the theory of the State from historical and classical perspectives. His eight and a half years in Valencia show an intense activity: he was the director of the college “Luis Vives”; he participated intensely in the academic life of the faculty; he promoted an interdisciplinary seminar on social sciences focused on sociology and political science; whose main currents in Europe and America he began to introduce; he created a large library on these matters and encouraged a first group of disciples; etc. The present study shows all this activity; as well as a description of the main features of the professor’s personality; such as his political and personal tolerance; his vigorous intelectual personality; characterized by a radical critical attitude; his scepticism bordering on pessimism and; above all; his strong vocation towards teaching; which led him to be defined as “a master in an age of bosses”.