Research Guides: French history and culture in Haverford Special Collections (HC): Literature and Philosophy

Pre-Enlightenment works

Clovis, ou la France chrétienne: Poème héroïque
Written by Jean Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin in 1657, this work is a "heroic" poem about Clovis who was a Christian king of the French from 466-511.
Lettres du sieur de Balzac: revues & cor
This book consists of letters of Sir Jean-Louis Guez Balzac, authored by both Balzac and by Sir Jacques de La Motte-Aigron.
Les essais de Michel, seigneur de Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne was a prolific Renaissance writer during the 16th century, this edition of his essays was published in 1652 and features an engraving of the author.
Molière's Le misanthrope
Published in 1899, this version of one of Molère's most famous works is a part of Heath's modern language series and is a classic piece of French literature.
Les œuvres libertines de Cyrano de Bergerac
These works are comprised of two volumes, each with illustrations, published in 1921 and written by Cyrano de Bergerac as a part of "libertinage" of the 17th century.
Les Œuvres de Monsieur de Molière
Published in 1682, this book includes the 8 volumes of posthumous works of Molière and includes illustrations.
Œuvres de monsieur Scarron
Paul Scarron was a notable French writer during the 17th century. This compilation of his works is in ten volumes and was published as a revised edition in 1737.
Les oeuvres de Theophile, divisées en trois parties. La première contenant l'immortalité de l'âme, avec plusieurs autres pièces...
Translation of title: "The works of Theophile, divided in three parts. The first containing the immortality of the soul, with several other pieces..."
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Full title: Les oeuvres de Theophile, divisées en trois parties. La première contenant l'Immortalité de l'âme, avec plusieurs autres pièces. La seconde les Tragédies. Et la troisième, les pièces qu'il a faites pendant sa prison, jusques à present. De plus est augmenté la lettre contre Balsac avec la Solitude du Sieur S. Amand. Oeuvre d'excellente invention. Dediées aux beaux esprits de ce temps
Ouvrages de prose et de poésie: Des srs de Maucroy, et de La Fontaine
Consisting of two separate volumes, the first volume has six new first edition tales, ten new fables, and some poems, all by the celebrated Jean de LaFontaine. The second volume consists of works by Maucroys.
Le rime di Francesco Petrarca: tratte da' migliori esemplari; nouova edizione
This work was published in 1812 and features the poetry of Francesco Petrarca, otherwise known as Petrarch, a symbol of Renaissance poetry.

The Enlightenment

L'ami des hommes, ou Traité de la population
A notable work of Victor de Riqueti, marquis de Mirabeau, this work is a crucial part of the history of French economic theory and was published in 1756 regarding questions of trade, population and agriculture.
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"Questions interessantes sur la population, l'agriculture et le commerce, proposées aux académies & autres sociétés sçavantes des provinces." Translation: "Interesting questions on population, agriculture and trade, proposed in academies and other knowledgeable societies of the provinces."
De l'esprit des lois
"Analyse de l'esprit des loix, par M. d'Alembert, pour servir de suite a l'éloge de monsteur de Montesquieu." Translation: "Analysis of the spirit of laws, by M. d'Alembert, to serve as a sequel to the eulogy of monster Montesquieu."
Eléments de la philosophie de Newton, mis à la portée de tout le monde
Translation of title: "Elements of the philosophy of Newton, put within reach of the whole world." This work was written by Voltaire in 1738 as a means of explaining Newtonian philosophy in a way that could be more generally understood.
Jacques le fataliste et son maître
Written by Denis Diderot, this book is a 1797 edition of his posthumously published philosophical work.
Lettres philosophiques de Voltaire
This book consists of a compilation of philosophical letters of Voltaire, published in 1734.
Réflections d'un philosophe chrétien sur la réalité et la certitude des peines et des récompenses de la vie à venir
Translation of title: "Reflections of a Christian philosophe on reality and certainty of the pains and rewards of the life to come." Written by Emeric de St. Dalmas in 1784 regarding future life and philosophy as a Christian.
Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences: des arts et des métiers, par une société de gens de lettres
Translation of title: "Encyclopedia or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts." Written primarily by Denis Diderot and edited by Jean Le Rond d'Alembert, this set of 36 volumes was published between 1777 and 1779. Three volumes of plates are also available under the same name.

Post-Enlightenment Works

Au fil des jours
Translation of title: "As the days go by." Written by Georges Clemenceau in 1900, this book is a prime example of early twentieth century French literature.
Le livre blanc
Attributed to Jean Cocteau, this work was published in 1900 and provides an interesting story about acceptance and tolerance. This edition is one of only 500 and includes illustrations.
Les miserables
A very prominent work of Victor Hugo, this book is the 1938 edition of Hugo's novelization of the Revolution of 1830.