Between 1782 and 1788, Gaetano Filangieri and Benjamin Franklin engaged in a remarkable correspondence, an exchange of letters that revealed a deeper, more profound correspondence of ideals and values. Their written dialogue uncovers a shared commitment to peace, trade liberalization, human rights, and good government.

This talk will present the letters composing the correspondence and other historical documents that illustrate not just their exchange of ideas, but also their shared values, which played a crucial role in the formation of the American federation and, more recently, have shaped the process of European integration.