Academic appointments "for clear renown" - For some time now, the Italian university system has featured the principle of the eminent scholar or scientist who can be appointed by means of an exceptional process known as chiara fama, or clear renown, to occupy the role of a full ("ordinary") professor, without the need to undergo the usual official competition procedures. The article illustrates the historical precedents for this figure and recent legal developments. (English texts revised by Pete Kercher)