Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries’ Special Collections has been awarded a prestigious LSTA grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), granted through the State Library of Ohio, to preserve one of its most treasured holdings: a complete 33-volume set of the Description de L’Égypte (Description of Egypt), dating from 1821–1830.
This extraordinary collection represents both a remarkable piece of scholarly history and a valuable educational resource serving our community for over 150 years.
A Window into Napoleon’s Egypt
The Description of Egypt emerged from one of history’s most ambitious scholarly expeditions. When Napoleon Bonaparte launched his Egyptian campaign during the French Revolutionary Wars (1798-1801), he brought along 160 scholars and scientists with a unique mission: document everything they observed about this ancient civilization. These savants, as they were called, began sharing their discoveries through early publications. An unprecedented collaborative effort involving over 2,400 artists, technicians, engravers, and bookbinders worked to create a comprehensive visual and textual record of Egypt through French eyes. The resulting work became a cornerstone of Egyptology and continues to influence scholars worldwide.
OWU’s Historic Investment in Learning
Our university’s copy tells its own remarkable story of educational commitment. In 1873, as Ohio Wesleyan was establishing its library collection, Charles Payne, the university’s president-elect, recognized the immense scholarly value of this work. With financial support from donor Dr. Trimble, the university purchased the set for approximately $600, a substantial investment at the time that demonstrated our founders’ dedication to providing students with world-class resources. For more than a century and a half, this collection has offered students and faculty direct access to primary source materials that bring ancient Egypt to life through detailed architectural renderings, flora and fauna illustrations, cultural scenes, and documentation of archaeological sites.
Urgent Conservation Needs
The IMLS grant specifically targets the five most vulnerable oversized plate volumes within the collection. These massive volumes contain the work’s most spectacular visual elements—intricate prints depicting ancient ruins, detailed architectural drawings, and vivid cultural scenes that Napoleon’s team meticulously recorded. However, their size and frequency of use have made them particularly susceptible to damage. The original 19th-century bindings can no longer adequately support the weight of these oversized text blocks. The conservation work will provide these volumes with new, supportive casings designed to preserve their contents while maintaining accessibility for educational purposes. This balance between preservation and usability reflects OWU’s commitment to keeping these materials available as active learning tools.
A Legacy Continues
This conservation effort ensures that OWU’s Description of Egypt will remain accessible to students, faculty, and visiting scholars for at least another 150 years. The grant represents a partnership between federal funding, institutional commitment, and community support for educational excellence. Through this conservation work, future generations of students will continue to have the opportunity to hold history in their hands and discover the wonders of ancient Egypt through the eyes of history’s most dedicated scholars and artists.
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Sponsored Research and Projects Office
Contact: Susan Zimmerman at grants@owu.edu