RENAN, ERNEST. - HENRIETTE RENAN.

Lettres Intimes - 1842-1845 - Précédées de ma seur Henriette. + Nouvelles Lettres Intimes - 1846-1850 - .

Paris, Calmann-Lévy, 1896 + 1923. Both copies are uncut, numbered and on extra fine paper. They are bound w. all the orig. wrappers in two private very beautiful uniform half leather bindings of darker orange (like the wrappers) morocco w. single gilt line-frames and gilt titles on back. Flat capitals and top-edges gilt (Anker Kysters Eftf. 1977, -handsigned underneth the bookbinder-stamp by the particular bookbinder - "Mogens Dickow Lund"). Small tear to corner of back wrapper of"Lettres Intimes", otherwise a mint set.

First edition, numbered copies, of both works. The "Lettres Intimes" is number 5 of fifteen copies printed on Japan-paper: "Il a été tiré de cet ouvrage quinze exemplaires sur papier Impérial du Japon. Tous numérotés. No. 5." "Nouvelles Lettres Intimes" is number four of 50 copies on Holland-paper: "Il a été tiré de cet ouvrage cinquante exemplaires sur papier de Hollande numérotés. No. 4."
Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was a French philologist, philosopher and historian. His father died when he was aged five, and his mother wanted him to become a priest. Until he was about 16 years old, he was trained by the Church, but due to his investigative and truth-seeking nature as well as his studies (e.g. Hebrew), he was in doubt as to the historical truth of the Scriptures, and with the help of his sister he chose his own path in life. "He studied intensively the languages of the Bible and filled a number of minor academic positions, frequently encountering difficulties because of the heterodoxy and outspokenness of his religious opinions." (Printing and the Mind of Man 352). In 1840 he began studying philosophy and later philology, in 1847 he took his degree as Agrégé de Philosophie and became master at the Lycée of Vendome. After having returned from a mission to Italy in the year 1850 where he gathered material for his historical-philosophical masterpiece, "Averroës et l'Averroisme", he was offered employment at the "Bibliothèque Nationale" (at the manuscript department). In 1861 he was chosen to become professor of Hebrew at the Collège de France, but because the emperor refused to ratify the appointment (inspired by the Clerical party), he was not established in the chair untill 1870. In 1878 he was elected for the Academy. Renan is considered a scolar of the greatest excellence and an impressive writer.
Renan's closest confidante was his sister, Henriette, who helped him quit the clerical carrier. They helped eachother financially, travelled together (e.g. on archaeological expeditions) and lived together for many years of their lives. His widely famous work, "Vie de Jésus" is dedicated to her, and their correspondence is very interesting and catching.

Order-nr.: 31741