French Revolution & Napoleon Collections

"Letter from the Army of the French Republic regarding General Macdonald," November 14, 1800, French Revolution Collection on Camille Desmoulins, Lucile Duplesis, and Arthur Dillon, 1702-1876, ​Box 1, Folder 4, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. Available in our Digital Library.

History of the Collection

Florida State University’s Doctoral program in History began in 1958. As a means of expanding the strength of the History Department, the University created a faculty position specializing in the French Revolution. Dr. Donald Horward oversaw the beginning of the collection when Government funding came to the history department to augment its holdings in the Napoleonic Period of which there were less than 300 works in Strozier at the time. The Collection began with Rare Books by and about Revolutionary figures like Murat and Napoleon Bonaparte himself. By 1973, the collection grew to around 5000 titles. Special Collections & Archives continues to develop this area which has expanded to over 10,000 Rare Books, Manuscripts, and other paramount artifacts such as Napoleon’s Death Mask.

Exciting Additions 

Special Collections received the Michael La Vean Collection in 2018. This over-4000-book collection adds new depth to the existing Napoleon Collection with its strength in women’s narratives.  Researchers may be interested in this collection because of its emphasis on gender studies, history of sex, European naval history, military uniforms, and the history of European royalty. This collection is currently in cataloging but remains accessible to researchers. To find out more about this collection, please contact Special Collections & Archives.