This collection comprises 82 works by and relating to the French author Louis-Sébastien Mercier (1740-1814), a significant public figure before, during and after the French Revolution. It includes some important early editions, many of which are attractively bound and in good internal condition. Several items contain handsome engravings of scenes from the plays. Mercier started his literary career as a playwright and writer on the theory of drama, creating a body of work which expressed his characteristic utopian and non-conformist views. The influence of political thinkers, especially during a period of exile in Switzerland, drew him into political matters and to involvement in the Revolution. Despite imprisonment during the Terror, he managed to escape the guillotine, and, following the defeat of Robespierre, returned to political activity.

Organisation

The books have been catalogued individually and have the shelfmark 'Mercier.'.

Acquisition

The collection was donated to the Library in 2001 by Miss Isabel Paterson, through the good offices of Dr AM Marchbank, then Director of Public Services at the Library. Miss Paterson did postgraduate research on Mercier at Edinburgh University and was one of the founders of the French department at Stirling University.