Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders	$ 49,805	$ 47,271
Less: Allocation of earnings to participating restricted shares	4,581	1,371
Net income available to common shareholders (basic)	45,224	45,900
Net income available to common shareholders (diluted)	$ 45,224	$ 45,900
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic	114,925,000	112,768,000
Incremental common shares	4,187,000	2,133,000
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	119,112,000	114,901,000
Earnings per share (Basic) ($ per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.41
Earnings per share (Diluted) ($ per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.40
Antidilutive common shares	6,900,000	19,900,000