Collection ID: LMC 1565
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Jouy, Étienne de, 1764-1846, Walker, Isabella., Thiébault, Dieudonné, 1733-1807., Thiébault, Paul-Charles-François, 1733-1807., Hamilton, G.R., Delmas, Antoine Guillaume, 1766-1813., and Thiébault, Adolphe, baron.
Abstract:
The Jouy mss., 1793-1843, consists primarily of letters to and from soldier, journalist and librettist, Étienne de Jouy, 1764-1846.
Extent:
1 Box (1 standard)
Language:
Materials are in French .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Jouy mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Étienne de Jouy, 1764-1846, was a French soldier, journalist and librettist. He was born on October 19, 1764 at Versailles. When he was 16, he joined the French army and sailed to South America in the company of the governor of French Guiana. He was then sent to India, but he returned home in time to participate in the French Revolution. Fighting with the Revolutionaries, Jouy attained the rank of adjutant-general. However, after falling under suspicion of treason, he was nearly captured in 1793 before moving to Switzerland in exile. Having abandoned his career as a soldier, Jouy turned to writing. The libretto for his first opera, La vestale, was published in 1807. Other operas and tragedies followed, including Fernand Cortez (1809), Pélage (1814), Bélisaire (1818), and Scylla (1821). Jouy's most famous work was the libretto for the opera Guillaume Tell (1829) with music by Gioachino Rossini. Jouy died on September 4, 1846 at St. Germain-en-Laye.

Scope and Content:

The letters from Jouy himself are mainly to family members, with the earlier ones being to his fiancée, subsequently his wife, Isabella Walker. Later letters are to family members and to friends Dieudonne Thiébault and his son General Paul Thiébault (who married Isabella's sister Betsey), G.R. Hamilton, General Delmas, and others. Most of the letters and other documents are in French.

Subjects of the letters include Jouy's military, journalistic and theatrical careers, including the operas La Vestale (1807), Pélage, and Guillaume Tell (1829), and his tragedies Belisaire and Sylla, as well as matters relating to family news, current affairs, publishing and appreciations of Jouy. Also present are a few documents relating to his military promotions and his appointment as editor of La Publiciste in 1807.

Acquisition information:
Acquired: 2002
Processing information:

Processed by Craig Simpson.

Completed in 2011

Arrangement:

The file was arranged, dated in and in some cases annotated by Jouy's nephew Baron Thiébault. The first folder contains the index prepared by Thiébault, with a title page inscribed: "Lettres de Monsr de Jouy, mon oncle, arrangées par moi, à Versailles, 89 avenue de St.Cloud, en juillet et août 1873. Baron Thiébault."

Physical location:
Lilly - Stacks

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

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TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Jouy mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu