Travels of Anacharsis the Younger in Greece

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by J.J. Barthélemy

Jean-Jacques Barthélemy (1716-1795) was a French writer who was especially interested in the classics and numismatics.[1] Numismatics is the study or collection of coins, paper money, and currency in general.[2] Barthélemy worked as the Keeper of the Royal Collection of Metals and continued his post during the tumulus French Revolution.[3] Though he penned numerous works, his most famous remains Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis en Grèce, dans le Milieu du Quatrième Siècle avant l’ère Vulgaire (Travels of Anacharsis the Younger in Greece), first published in 1788. The four volume piece tells the story of a young Scythian man, descendant of the philosopher in the title, who tours through Greece and writes about the customs and idiosyncrasies of each place he visits.[4] The works offer an interesting cultural view of Greek civilization rather than a strict recitation of facts.[5] "Recent archaeological discoveries have shown some of the statements to be erroneous, but on the whole the book remains a very successful attempt to diffuse a correct knowledge of Greek manners and customs."ref>Louis Delamarre, "Jean-Jacques Barthélemy."</ref> Barthélemy's signature work was reprinted multiple times and in several English translations beginning in 1790.

Bibliographic Information

Author: J.J. Barthélemy

Title: Travels of Anacharsis the Younger in Greece, During the Middle of the Fourth Century before the Christian Æra

Publication Info: London : G.G. and J. Robinson, 1796

Edition:

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as Anacharsis. Eng. 5.v. 8vo. Eng. Thomas Jefferson gave Wythe's copy to his grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph. The precise edition owned by Wythe is unknown. English, octavo editions were published in London in 1796 and Dublin in 1795. George Wythe's Library[6] on LibraryThing indicates the London edition as the "[p]robable edition." The Brown Bibliography[7] lists the 1795 Dublin edition based on the existence of a copy of that edition at the University of Virginia with the inscription "T. J. Randolph, Monticello, June 3d 1809, Friday 3d, Edgehill" on the front fly-leaf. This copy also has Thomas Mann Randolph's signature on the front boards of volumes one and two. It has no bookplate or signature which definitively links it to Wythe.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

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

References

  1. ↑ Louis Delamarre, "Jean-Jacques Barthélemy" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907), accessed October 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ August Loehr, "Numismatics" in Catholic Encyclopedia (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907), accessed October 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Jean-Jacques Barthélemy", accessed October 18, 2013, .
  4. ↑ Ibid.
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ LibraryThing, s. v. "Member: George Wythe," accessed on April 21, 2013, http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe
  7. ↑ 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
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