Varieties whose finitely generated members are free (Q1646600)

In [\textit{S. Givant}, Ann. Math. Logic 15, 1--53 (1978; Zbl 0401.03009)], the varieties of algebras whose members are free were classified. Each variety with such property is definitionally equivalent to one of the following varieties: a variety of sets, a variety of pointed sets, a variety of vector spaces over a division ring or a variety of affine spaces over a division ring. In this paper, it is shown that the same classification can be obtained for varieties where every finitely generated algebra is free, i.e., the assumptions of Givant's theorem [loc. cit.] can be weakened. The authors use different methods than Givant to prove the result.