Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte

Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte : pendant les années 1783, 1784 et 1785 …

by C.F. Volney

Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte
Title page from Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.
Author	C.F. Volney
Editor	{{{editor}}}
Translator	{{{trans}}}
Published	Paris: Volland [et] Desenne
Date	1787
Edition	First
Language	French
Volumes	2 volume set
Pages	{{{pages}}}
Desc.	8vo. (21 cm.); includes folded maps
Location	[[Shelf {{{shelf}}}]]
	[[Shelf {{{shelf2}}}]]

Map of Syria, volume one.

Constantin-François de Chasseboeuf, count de Volney (1757-1820) was a French historian and philosopher who epitomized the rationalist historical and political thought of the eighteenth century. Volney traveled through Egypt and Syria and upon his return to France compiled his notes and wrote Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte (Travels through Egypt and Syria) in 1787. The book chronicled his experiences abroad as he learned about the cultures, history, and languages of the areas he visited. The book “made him famous throughout Europe and Thomas Jefferson purchased it in its second edition soon after publication.” Volney met Jefferson, who appreciated Volney’s views on enlightenment principles, while the latter lived in Paris as minister to France. They corresponded when Jefferson returned to America and continued to write each other on topics such as politics and science.

Bookplate from front pastedown, volume two.

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as Egypte de Volney. 2.v. 8vo. and given by Thomas Jefferson to his son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph. Jefferson sent a copy of the first edition, published in 1787, to Wythe while serving as Minister to France. A copy at the University of Virginia includes the signature "T. M. Randolph/ Monticello" on the front boards of both volumes and "G. W. Randolph" on the verso of the front blank leaf. The only markings possibly linking it to Wythe are the initials "G. W." on the verso of the front blank leaf in volume one. George Wythe's Library on LibraryThing lists the title while the Brown Bibliography suggests the University of Virginia copy was owned by Wythe.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in quarter calf and marbled paper over boards with spines gilt, contrasting labels of red and green in the second and third compartments. Contains two maps and the engraved bookplate of Theophilus Mitchell in each volume. Purchased from Wessel & Lieberman Booksellers.

View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.

External Links

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