Books and people: the birth of the Montpellier School of Medicine library
Exhibition organized by the Historical Library of Medicine
Reopening as part of the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine:
From Thursday, October 22 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dates: September 21 to November 9, 2019
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Guided tours on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. starting September 28
Location: Exhibition rooms of the Faculty of Medicine, historic building
Poster
Catalog
Books and Men: Birth of the Montpellier School of Medicine Library. Exhibition catalog (2019), 56 p. $12
Did you know? The Montpellier Faculty of Medicine has an encyclopedic library, which is quite unique in France.
In 2020, the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier celebrates its 800th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the historic university medical library is pulling out all the stops and unveiling some of its most precious books to the public.
These volumes were collected over a few decades at the turn ofthe 19th centurythanks to the decisive action of enlightened men (Haguenot, Prunelle, Chaptal, Barthez, etc.), who dramatically enriched the library's collections.
The result today is an exceptionally rich heritage collection: medieval and modern manuscripts, incunabula, and other ancient printed works coexist in a collection that is remarkable for its diversity and scientific interest. Unique in its encyclopedic nature, it embodies a humanistic vision of medical education and the "art of healing."
By visiting this exhibition, you will discover the history of the library, from its initial core, consisting of the 1767 bequest of the personal library of Henri Haguenot, physician and professor of medicine, to its considerable expansion in many fields of knowledge following the French Revolution, at the instigation of Gabriel Prunelle.
Two conferences provided additional insights:
- Pierre-Yves Lacour: "Provincial collections and museums around 1800. From a heritage perspective to an educational perspective." Thursday, October 10 at 6 p.m.
- Thierry Lavabre-Bertrand: "The educational project of the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine inthe 19th century." Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m., in the Macabies Room, historic building of the Faculty of Medicine.
Photo credits: University of Montpellier / SCDI Montpellier – photography department