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During the 19th century, accurate censorship laws were enforced in Modena and were designed to limit not only the printing of books considered dangerous, but also trading and import of such material from neighbouring countries. In particular, both Dukes Francesco IV and Francesco V adopted well-defined laws to place the content of books as much as possible under their own control. These laws were applied by professors from the University of Modena and members of the Academy of Sciences, Literature and Arts of Modena acting as censors. The present analysis of the role of the censors in Modena allows us to understand how universities and academies managed the complex relationship between the censorship requested by the dukes and the fast scientific progress that characterised science during the 19th century. This analysis shows us that censors, although aware of their role, opted for a more rational method of censorship, thus favouring scientific progress which has been at the basis of the cultural growth not only of the University of Modena, but also of the city of Modena altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]