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At one time the 'Maison des Nouvelles Catholiques' on Rue Ste. Anne in Paris may have been the
repository of the 1534 volumes that constituted the library of Charenton Temple.
Source: SHPF 1894 (P.549)
| Charenton Library |
What became of the 1534 volumes that constituted the Charenton library? Nobody really knows, although there is evidence that it was taken to the 'Maison des Nouvelles Catholiques' on Rue Ste. Anne in Paris. Later it may have been absorbed into another library. Fortunately a document was found which catalogs many of the books that the library contained before 1664 and those who contributed money toward the purchase of certain volumes. The above article provides a facsimile of that catalogue.
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At one time the 'Maison des Nouvelles Catholiques' on Rue Ste. Anne in Paris may have been the
repository of the 1534 volumes that constituted the library of Charenton Temple.
Source: SHPF 1894 (P.549)
Thomas Craven's Contribution to the Library
It is interesting to note that Thomas Craven contributed 100 francs toward the purchase of several volumes in the Charenton Library. Thomas Craven was the eighteen-year old son of the mayor of London who died of the plague on November 26, 1636 and whose body was found in a lead coffin under Charenton temple. His body was probably made ready for shipment back to London but for some reason this never happened.
Embalmed body of young Thomas Craven in a lead coffin.
(Photo: B. Allard, LDA 94 - Source:)The inscription on the plaque that was mounted on the coffin reads:
"Herein this coffin, awaiting a joyful resurrection and happy reunion with his soul now in heaven, the body of Thomas Craven, a famous young Englishman who during his life behaved in such a way that he showed to others examples of good behavior through all kinds of virtues..."
Books purchased for Charenton Library with a 100 franc donation from Thomas Craven.
A providential experience of Thomas Craven's father, the mayor of London,
during a time of plague in his city. Curiously, it was the plague that claimed the life of his son in Paris decades later.
Source: "The Christian Souvenir" P. 158
Gallery created with Mihov Gallery Creator.