Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 25 November 1777 [D20923]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36705
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.69), ‘Au roi de Prusse, 25 novembre 1777 (M. 10115)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 25 November 1777 [D20923]
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Grand homme en tout, et sans rival
Incipit Modernised:
Grand homme en tout, et sans rival
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 25 November 1777.
Detailed Summary:
The writer commends the King for his unique achievements, highlighting his dual dedication to both military and poetic pursuits. The King is praised for founding a library dedicated to Latin and Greek literature, symbolically positioning it alongside his arsenal, thus bridging classical learning and martial prowess. The writer mentions Mr. Dalembert’s proposal to appoint Delile, a learned and virtuous scholar, as a librarian, suggesting this reflects the King’s commitment to correcting past wrongs. At eighty-four, the writer expresses a strong aversion to extreme unction and its practitioners, seeking solace and support from the King as a source of consolation.
Keyword(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
The MS carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
25 November 1777
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
129, p. 116–117
OCV Manuscript Reference:
129, p. 117
Record created by:
Record created on: