La Pucelle D'Orleans

Manuscript volume copy of Voltaire's La Pucelle D'Orleans , [1750], a satirical poem about Joan of Arc. The heading to each 'Chant' is written in green ink, with marginal notes in a different hand from the text. A letter from Dr Claudine I Wilson regarding the date of the manuscript is inserted.

Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, 1694-1778) was a celebrated French writer. His La Pucelle D'Orleans was a mock-heroic poem, a comic satire of fundamental Catholic religion, as well as of Voltaire's own personal enemies, and was written for his own pleasure and that of his friends. The outrageous work was an open secret in Europe, and manuscript copies circulated freely. Several versions were printed against Voltaire's wishes, and he denied authorship until 1762, when he allowed the publication of an authorised copy.

Single item

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Provenance unknown.

Collection level description.

Manuscript quarto.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

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