What makes a successful (and famous) entrepreneur? Historical evidence from Italy (XIX-XX centuries)

In this article, we employ a “quantitative” prosopographical approach to study the nature and the determinants of entrepreneurial success in Italy during the XIX-XX centuries. Our main source is the Biographical Dictionary of Italian Entrepreneurs, which contains very detailed biographies of 608 major Italian entrepreneurs. Our findings indicate the multidimensional nature of entrepreneurial success, comprising both a strictly economic and a “celebrity” dimension. Concerning the determinants of success, our findings point to the “political” nature of Italian capitalism.