Histoire des Celtes: et Particulierment des Gaulois et des Germains, Depuis les Tems Fabuleux, Jusqu'à la Prise de Rome par les Gaulois

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by Simon Pelloutier

Histoire des Celtes
PelloutierHistoireDesCeltes1750TitlePageV1.jpg

Title page from Histoire des Celtes: et Particulierment des Gaulois et des Germains, Depuis les Tems Fabuleux, Jusqu'à la Prise de Rome par les Gaulois, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.

Author Simon Pelloutier
Editor {{{editor}}}
Translator {{{trans}}}
Published À La Haye: Chez Isaac Beauregard
Date 1750
Edition {{{edition}}}
Language English
Volumes 2 volume set
Pages {{{pages}}}
Desc. 12mo (17 cm.)
Location Shelf B-1
  [[Shelf {{{shelf2}}}]]
Initial capital, first page of text, volume one.
L’Histoire Des Celtes: et Particulièrement des Gaulois et des Germains, Depuis les Tems Fabuleux, Jusqu'à la Prise de Rome par les Gaulois (History of the Celts: Particularly of the Gauls and the Germans, from Fabulous Times to the Capture of Rome by the Gauls) is a historical study written by Simon Pelloutier (1694-1757), a German historian of French descent.[1] Due to their Protestant faith, Pelloutier’s Lyonese family was exiled from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.[2] Pelloutier studied theology and became a minister of the French church of Berlin, and a librarian and member of the Berlin Academy.[3]


L’Histore Des Celtes is Pelloutier’s only notable work, but it assured him a lasting reputation.[4] It is divided into four books, or sections. The first focuses on the Celts’ origins, the country they inhabited, the different names they called themselves throughout history, and their language.[5] The second book examines the Celts’ mores, customs, and activities.[6] The third explores their laws and dogmas, and the fourth discusses Celts’ religious ceremonies and Celtic and Scythian philosophy.[7]

Headpiece, first page of text, volume one.

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Both Dean's Memo[8] and the Brown Bibliography[9] include Simon Pelloutier's Histoire des Celtes based on notations made by Thomas Jefferson in his commonplace book. Both Dean and Brown cite Alan Smith's dissertion, "Virginia Lawyers, 1680-1776: The Birth of an American Profession".[10] Brown also references Jefferson's commonplace book at the Library of Congress, noting "Jefferson regularly cites this book in his Legal Commonplace Book at a time shortly following his personal study under Wythe (circa 1763), but within a possible window of influence from Wythe." Jefferson studied law beginning in 1762.[11] He recorded a purchase of Pelloutier's work in 1785,[12] so it seems likely he used a copy owned by Wythe in 1763. Both Dean and Brown list the 1750 edition, and the Wolf Law Library purchased a copy of the same edition.

Headpiece, first page of text, volume two.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in contemporary calf with triple gilt rules to boards. Spine features five raised bands and gilt ornamental compartments. Title and volume labels are black morocco with gilt lettering.

Images of the library's copy of this book are available on Flickr. View the record for this book in William & Mary's online catalog.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Richard Alfred Davenport, A Dictionary of Biography: Comprising the Most Eminent Characters of All Ages, Nations and Professions (Exeter: J.& B. and Williams, 1843), 411.
  2. ↑ Louis Gabriel Michaud, Biographie Universelle: Ancienne et Moderne ou L’Histoire par Ordre Alphabetique, de la Vie Publique et Privée de Tous les Hommes Qui Se Sont Fait Remarquer par leur Ecrits, Leurs Actions, Leurs Talents, Leurs Vertus ou Leurs Crimes (Paris : CH. Delagrave et Compagnie, 1821), 32:417.
  3. ↑ Davenport, A Dictionary of Biography, 411.
  4. ↑ Michaud, Biographie Universelle, 32:417.
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ Ibid.
  7. ↑ Ibid.
  8. ↑ Memorandum from Barbara C. Dean, Colonial Williamsburg Found., to Mrs. Stiverson, Colonial Williamsburg Found. (June 16, 1975), 13 (on file at Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary).
  9. ↑ Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433.
  10. ↑ Alan McKinley Smith "Virginia Lawyers, 1680-1776: The Birth of an American Profession" (PhD diss., The Johns Hopkins University, 1967), 262.
  11. ↑ William Clarkin, Serene Patriot: A Life of George Wythe (Albany, New York: Alan Publications, 1970), 40.
  12. ↑ Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond."
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