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University College London

Boulainviller's 'Summary of the Universal History'

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0103 MS FRANC 2

Held at: University College London

Title: Boulainviller's 'Summary of the Universal History'

Date(s): 17th century

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 2 volumes, containing 294 and 284 leaves respectively

Name of creator(s): Unknown

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

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.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Two manuscript volumes, probably dating from the 17th century, containing Boulainviller's 'Abregé de l'Histoire Universelle' (summary of the universal history).

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: French

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

Physical characteristics:

Paper manuscript bound in calf, stamped in gilt. Two hands. 28cm.

Finding aids:

Dorothy K Coveney, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London (London, 1935); handlist at University College London Special Collections.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

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.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Presented to University College London by O F Gallcher.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica online. Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.