French History, Politics, and Law
Special Collections holds French Revolutionary tracts as well as a large collection centering around the intersection between the history of French political institutions and the development of French law, but also includes many works on French and European history more generally. The majority of the collection dates from the 19th century, but it includes over 200 items from the 13th to 18th centuries.
How to Use the Collection
With a few exceptions, the collections can be accessed and requested through the library catalog. Finding aids for individual collections are linked on this website. Materials are available for use in the Special Collections Reading Room (room 401) during regular hours. Materials do not circulate.
Finding Aids for French History, Politics, and Law
Jacques Flach Collection.
Biographical Sketch GeoffroiJacques Flach(1846-1919) was born in Strasbourg, France, the capital of the Alsace region, on February 16, 1846. His…
Rare Books
The Rare Books Collection is the default designation for materials in Special Collections that are acquired as individual items. Like Special…
Related Exhibits
Selected Items
An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs, In Consequence of Some Late Discussions in Parliament, Relative to the Reflections on the French Revolution
"In this powerful political treatise, Edmund Burke defends the arguments he made in his earlier work, Reflections on the Revolution in France,…
Some Remarks on the Apparent Circumstances of the War in the Fourth Week of October 1795
"Published in 1795, Some Remarks on the Apparent Circumstances of the War in the Fourth Week of October offers a timely analysis of France's military…
A Letter from Earl Stanhope to the Right Honorable Edmund Burke Containing a short Answer to his late Speech on the French Revolution
"A Letter from Earl Stanhope to the Right Honorable Edmund Burke offers a direct rebuttal to Burke’s influential Reflections on the Revolution in…
Account of the Revolt and Massacre Which took place in Paris, on the 10th of August, 1792.
"This pamphlet offers a vivid eyewitness or near-contemporary account of one of the most decisive and violent days of the French Revolution, the…
The Last Will and Testament of Lewis XVI
"This solemn and deeply personal document was composed by King Louis XVI while imprisoned in the Temple. In it, Louis reflects on his faith, appeals…
Quelques Notices pour L'histoire, Et Le Recit De Mes Perils
"Published on the eve of one of the French Revolution's most dramatic turning points, this pamphlet by Jean-Baptiste Louvet offers a deeply personal…
First fruits of the French Revolution
"Published in 1793, First Fruits of the French Revolution offers an early reflection on the outcomes of the revolutionary process as France plunged…