Abstract
Research on entrepreneurial philanthropy has traditionally focused on industrial magnates in the United States and the United Kingdom, such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Additional studies have explored philanthropy among Quaker business dynasties like the Rowntrees and Cadburys and within specific industries, such as Scottish whisky entrepreneurs and music houses. More recently, case studies from China, Colombia, South Africa, and the Netherlands have demonstrated how historical, cultural, and economic factors shape philanthropic practices. Despite this growing international scholarship, Spain remains largely absent from research on entrepreneurial philanthropy.
Historical evidence suggests, however, that philanthropy has played a significant role in Spain’s socio-economic landscape. A systematic search of the Spanish National Library’s newspaper archives from 1850 to 2000 reveals a growing presence of philanthropic discourse, particularly during periods of industrialization and in recent decades. Spanish entrepreneurs have also historically contributed to urban infrastructure and social welfare. Notable cases include the Girona banking family financing Barcelona’s cathedral restoration and Pau Gil (gas industry) funding the construction of Hospital de Sant Pau. More recently, Amancio Ortega, founder of fashion empire Inditex, donated €320 million to public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating ongoing corporate philanthropy.
This study aims to bridge the historiographical gap by analyzing entrepreneurial philanthropy in Spain through a business history perspective. Using biographical compendiums and archival sources, the research will trace philanthropic trajectories, key individuals, and historical patterns. Applying Bourdieu’s capital theory, it will assess how different forms of capital have been mobilized in philanthropic activities. Ultimately, the study seeks to provide a systematic historical foundation for understanding entrepreneurial philanthropy in Spain, offering new insights for comparative international research.