Two manuscript volumes, probably dating from the 17th century, containing Boulainviller's 'Abreg de l'Histoire Universelle' (summary of the universal history).
Volume 1 appears to have been compiled by several scribes; the change in hand conincides with a change in the type and quality of paper although the text and pagination is continuous. Volume 2 appears to be the work of a single scribe but is heavily annotated and corrected throughout.
Henri de Boulainviller (Boulainvilliers): born, 1658; trained in classical studies, French history, and the sciences; Comte De Saint-Saire; read widely and was familiar with the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Newton, and Locke; a historian and political writer whose conception of philosophical history influenced intellectual developments in the 18th century; among the first modern historians to claim that historical studies can supply the tools for analysing present society; died, 1722.
Open
The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.
Presented to University College London by O F Gallcher.
Dorothy K Coveney, 'A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London' (London, 1935); handlist at University College London Special Collections.
Paper manuscript bound in calf, stamped in gilt. Two hands. 28cm.
Normal copyright restrictions apply.
The volumes belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MS 2198.
