Francesco Ruffini (Lessolo, April 10, 1863 - Turin, March 29, 1934) was an Italian jurist, historian, politician and antifascist.

Among his students there were Arturo Carlo Jemolo [it], Alessandro Galante Garrone [it], Piero Gobetti (who was also his editor), and Mario Falco [it].

[1][2] In 1925, he was among the signatories of the Manifesto of the Anti-Fascist Intellectuals, drafted by Benedetto Croce, who in 1927 dedicated to him the book Uomini e cose della vecchia Italia [it].

[5] Judged “a master of freedom” who was always interested in the relationship between state and church,[6] Ruffini studied the figure of Cavour, of whom he was a great admirer.

[8] The following year, he edited the handbook Storia del diritto privato italiano, written by his professor Cesare Nani [it] and published posthumously.