One of the largest and most distinct rare book collections held by Franklin and Marshall is the 1,890 volume Watts de Peyster Collection: Napoleon Buonaparte assembled by General John Watts de Peyster (1821-1907).
Originally gifted to the Smithsonian Institution, the collection was transferred to Franklin and Marshall College in 1957 in recognition of General de Peyster's historical relationship as a major benefactor to the College Library. The collection consists of books, pamphlets and maps focusing on the Napoleonic era in Europe from the French Revolution of 1789 until the death of Napoleon in 1821. General de Peyster collected many of the items while traveling in Europe conducting research for his own biography of Napoleon, entitled Napoleone di Buonaparte (1896).
The exhibit will run through October 31, 2008. Enjoy, and please post your comments!
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