Menéndez Versus Menéndez. Repression and Resistance of the Disciples Menéndez Pidal´s to the Intellectual Offensive of Traditionalists in Post-War Spanish University

Abstract

Before the Civil War, in Spanish University an important group of students, professors and researchers, most of them disciples of Ramon Menéndez Pidal, have contributed to renew Literature and Linguistic studies in Spanish University. As symbols of modern science they were considered as enemies by Franco dictatorship after 1939. The new professors collaborating with Franco’s regime as academic authorities try to ban them from University at they same time they promoted a return to traditional science following the thoughts and works of Menéndez Pelayo, in order to destroy the liberal legacy of Menéndez Pidal’s school. Analysing the competition for University chairs in postwar Spain it will be shown how Menendez Pidal’s tried to avoid repression without refusing to theirs scientific identity.