Seven titles on the penitentiary system in 19th century France bound in two volumes, four in the first volume and three in the second, compiled and mostly authored by La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt: 385, 169, 80, 80, 455, 52, and 96 pp., respectively. Octavo (8 1/8 x 5 inches). Cherry red leather-backed embossed boards with gilt ornamental framing to front and rear covers and to edges. Light wear and abrasions to boards and edges, some light scattered foxing to interior, overall very good. 1840-1845. Volume I with a handwritten letter to Dr. Jules Juillet, mayor of Creil, from Rochefoucauld, dated May 8, 1850, affixed to inside front cover.

Frédéric-Gaëtan de La Rochefoucauld, Marquis of Liancourt (1779-1863) was a French nobleman who became an ardent philanthropist and wrote extensively on social issues, particularly prison administration and reform. He argued against solitary confinement and took an active part in the discussions regarding emancipation for Black people. Rochefoucauld authored all but two of the works in this collection and was responsible for compiling the group into these two volumes.

The seven works comprising this collection are:

1. Examen de la Théorie et de la Pratique du Système Pénitentiaire, by Rochefoucauld. 385 pp. over 11 chapters covering topics such as work, isolation, silence, punshinent, disease, and legislation. Paris: Delaunay, 1840.

2. Conséquences du Système Pénitentiaire, by Rochefoucauld. 168 pp. over 8 chapters discussing treatment within the prisons, punishments inflicted on young detainees at Rouen, regulations, and discussions within the Chambre des Députés. Clermont-Oise: A. Carbon, n.d. (circa 1842).

3. De la Mortalité Cellulaire, dernier document présenté a la Chambre des Députés, by Rochefoucauld. 80 pp. Paris: A. Henry, n.d. (circa 1843).

4. Mémoire sur la Réforme des Prisons et contre le Project de loi présenté aux Chambres Législatives, par M. le Ministre de l'Intérieur, Session de 1840, by Vénuste Gleizes. 80 pp. Brest: A. Proux, 1840.

5. Documents Relatifs au Système Pénitentiaire, extraits du Journal de la Société de la Morale Chrétienne, by Rochefoucauld. 455 pp. over numerous chapters discussing prisons and prison systems in Lausanne, Nimes, Belgium, Clermont (Oise), Frankfurt, Prussia, London, Geneva, and Mont Saint-Michel, along with discussions of criminal statistics, reports, and opinions. Paris: A. Henry, 1844.

6. Rapport sur le Système Cellulaire, by M. Coffinières. Rapport a la Société Philotechnique, sur l'ouvrage intitulé: Documents Relatifs au Système Pénitentiaire. 52 pp. report on the work of Rochefoucauld. Paris: A. Henry, n.d. (circa 1844).

7. Discours Prononcés a la Chambre des Députés dans la discussion du projet de loi sur la Réforme des Prisons, by Rochefoucauld, followed by a report by M. Béranger, Pair de France, on the work of the Société de patronage des jeunes libérés. 96 pp. Paris: Maulde et Renou, 1845.

An important collection of works on French prison reform by a noted and fervent scholar in the field. A possibly unique set; as of October 2024, OCLC locates scattered holdings of a couple of Rochefoucauld's works, but our research only shows one compiled set of his works which does not match this set.

Book ID: 53318

Price: $7,500.00