A study of the printed books in French in Bishop Cosin’s library

Abstract

In Chapter I a brief account is given of the life of John Cosin, with special emphasis on his relations with France. Then follows an assessment of John Cosin as a lover of books and book collecting, including the formation and early history of his library. The Chapter ends with a summary of the history of the Episcopal library from 1672 to the present day. In Chapter II the French historical and literary background to the acquisition and the contents of the Cosin French books is outlined in order to place the collection in its true context. Detailed references to the Collection are provided in footnotes. In Chapter III the theological systems which predominated in France at the time are outlined, namely those of Calvin and the Counter Reformation, since most of the works under consideration are serious religious writings deriving from Calvinist and contemporary Roman Catholic sources. As in Chapter II references to specific items in the library are given in footnotes. In Chapter IV the composition of the French section of the library is surveyed in detail, from the point of view of both its bibliographical and subject interest. Chapter V is concerned with the Protestant theologian Pierre du Moulin, who is the most profusely represented French writer in the Collection under review in this study. A short account of Du Moulin’s position in relation to the library and its founder is given: then bibliographical descriptions are provided of all the French items in the library by and relating to this writer. In Chapter VI bibliographical descriptions are given of a further selection of the French religious writings in Bishop Cosin’s Library.