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University of Missouri

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. 

MU Library Catalog

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

Thick book with an engraved wooden cover and exposed binding

The Rare Books Collection is the default designation for materials in Special Collections that are acquired as individual items. Like Special…

Related Exhibits

In Their Own Words: The French Revolution in Print

Page with large and small printing inside two dark horizontal lines

Selected Items

Letter of the Right Reverend Bishop of Leon

Page with stylized horizontal bar at top with larger and smaller printing underneath

"Published in 1793, during one of the most turbulent years of the French Revolution, this letter by the Right Reverend Bishop of Léon—Jean-François de…

Les vies des plus illustres philosophes de l'antiquité : avec leurs dogmes, leurs sytsêmes, leur morale, & leurs sentences les plus remarquables / traduites du grec de Diogene Laërce. Auxquelles on a ajouté la vie de l'auteur, celles d'Epictete, de Confucius, & leur morale, & un abrégé historique de la vie des femmes philosophes de l'antiquité.

Système Social. : Ou Principes naturels de la morale et de la politique / Avec un examen de l'influence du gouvernement sur les moeurs.

3 volumes in 1. ; 21 cm
Reprint of London [i.e. Amsterdam] 1773 ed.

A Journal During a Residence in France , From the Beginning of August to the Middle of December, 1792

Page with larger and smaller printing in different styles and large brown staining on upper left side

"This journal, written by Scottish physician and novelist John Moore, offers a vivid and detailed account of his time in revolutionary France during…

First fruits of the French Revolution

Page with large and small printing inside two dark horizontal lines

"Published in 1793, First Fruits of the French Revolution offers an early reflection on the outcomes of the revolutionary process as France plunged…

Account of the Revolt and Massacre Which took place in Paris, on the 10th of August, 1792.

Page with larger and smaller printing in different styles

"This pamphlet offers a vivid eyewitness or near-contemporary account of one of the most decisive and violent days of the French Revolution, the…

Considerations on the present internal and external condition of France

Page with larger and smaller printing in different styles

"This anonymous pamphlet, published at the height of revolutionary upheaval, offers a sobering assessment of France’s condition both within its…

The Definitive Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between His Britannick Majesty, and the Most Christian King

Page with larger and smaller printing in different styles with large letters T H B in curving vine style

"The Definitive Treaty of Peace and Friendship marks the formal conclusion of the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain and France. Signed…

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