# Le Grand Dictionnaire Historique

Le Grand Dictionnaire Historique was an encyclopedia originally compiled by the Catholic priest and theologian Louis Moréri (1643–1680). By later standards, it was highly specialized, for nearly all of its entries were on geographical and historical subjects, but it marked the start of a flood of other dictionaries and encyclopedias in Europe's vernaculars. In addition to being successful in its own right, Moréri's Grand Dictionnaire served as a springboard and foil for Pierre Bayle's Dictionnaire Historique et Critique (1697).

## Editions and expansions

Moréri's Grand Dictionnaire appeared in numerous French editions between 1674 and 1759, growing in size with each edition. Moréri himself died after preparing materials for the second edition (1681). Thereafter, other Francophone scholars took charge of the compilation, notably Jean Le Clerc.

## Translations

The Grand Dictionnaire was also translated and adapted into English, German, Dutch, and Spanish.

## Digitized online editions

* Moréri, Louis (1643–1680). Grand dictionnaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane [The Great Historical Dictionary or the Curious Mixture of Sacred and Profane History]{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
* 1674 (1st ed.) (1 Vol.). Lyon: Jean Girin (printer); Barthélemy Rivière (printer). OCLC 1040824202.
* See Grand Dictionnaire historique
* 1681 (2nd ed.) (2 Vols.). OCLC 320759531, 1066418366, 320759530.
* 1683 (3rd ed.) (2 Vols.). OCLC 1066639065.
* 1688 (5th ed. 2 Vols. + Supplément). OCLC 1066422148, 562162208, 887385704, 1025528373, 759626663.
* 1694 (6th ed.) (4 Vols.).
* 1698 (8th ed.) (4 Vols.). Corrected and enlarged by Monsieur [Jean] Le Clerc [1657–1736].{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) OCLC 718290644, 921294026, 1066532068, 20744934, 801184871.
* 1702 (9th ed.).
* 1704 (4 Vols.) (New and last ed.).
* 1711.
* 1714.
* 1716
* 1717 (10th ed.)
* 1725 (6 Vols.) (new and latest ed.).
* 1732 (6 Vols.). Paris
* 1735: Supplément (2 Vols.) (supplementing the 1732 Paris ed.). OCLC 1030791644, 1072562834, 1026708986, 314673369, 633612562, 1072562834, 1051485964 (Vol. 1), 1080047701 (Vol. 2).
* 1740 (8 Vols.) (18th ed.). LCCN 16-11550; OCLC 7453590, 995526097.
* 1749.
* 1743–1749. (8 Vols.) (19th ed.). Sold in Venice at François Pitteri.
* 1759 (10 Vols.) (Nouvelle éd) – via HathiTrust. LCCN 30-1229.

### English eds.

* English translation of 6th ed. (1694)
* English translation of 8th ed. (1701)
* The Great Historical, Geographical, Genealogical and Poetical Dictionary; Being a Curious Miscellany of Sacred and Prophane History (2 Vols.). English translation by Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) (English translation of the 8th ed.). London: Printed for (a) Henry Rhodes, near Bride-Lane in Fleetstreet; (b) Thomas Newborough, at the Golden-Bal in St. Paul's Church-Yard; (c) The assigns of L. Meredith, at the Star in St. Paul's Church-Yard; (d) Elizabeth Harris, at the Harrow in Little-Britain. 1701.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) OCLC 1525995 (all editions)
* 1727: Supplément. London: Printed by W. Bowyer, for C. Collier, Tho. Ward; and the executors of Henry Rhodes deceased. LCCN 30-1225; OCLC 645786127.
Luke Meredith – who been an apprentice to bookseller and publisher Richard Royston (1601–1686) – on March 26, 1687 (within six months after Royston's death), married Richard's granddaughter, Elizabeth Chiswell. She died before 1696 and was one of four children of, and only daughter of Richard Chiswell (1637–1711) (QID 18530779) and Mary Royston (1630–1698). Through Elizabeth, Luke Meredith was a cousin-in-law to Richard Chiswell (1673–1751). Among other things, Richard Royston and Luke Meredith had been connected to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers.
    See Jeremy Collier § Dictionary

### Spanish eds.

The Spanish edition was a translation of the six-volume Paris 1725 edition. It was published in 1753 – seventy-three years after Moréri's death and nine years after José Miravel Casadevante's death, its translator.
Spanish translation of 1725 ed.
* El gran diccionario histórico, o miscellanea curiosa de la historia sagrada y profana (8 Vols.). Spanish translation by José Miravel Casadevante. 1740.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) OCLC 995526097 (all editions)
* 1753 (8 Vols.). Louis Moréri, José Miravel Casadevante (pseudonym of José Antonio Miravel Herrera [es]; 1690–1744), Frères de Tournes, floreció 1727-1781 (editor), Libraires associés (París, Francia) (editor). Paris and Leon: de Tournes Brothers, booksellers.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) OCLC 1430549350, 645092914, 3859234, 1080011277.

### Dutch eds.

* Groot Algemeen Historisch, Geographisch, Genealogisch en Oordeelkundig Woorden-Boek, Behelende Het voornaamste, dat vervat is in de Woorden-boeken van Morery, Bayle, Buddeus, enz. Als de Gehele Kerkelyke en Wereldlyke Geschiedenis; Of een kort begrip van de Levens en merkwaardigste Bedryven der Patriarchen, Rechters, Joodsche Koningen, Propheten, Apostelen, Vaders der Eerste Kerke, Pauzen, Kardinalen, Bisschoppen, Prelaten, voorname Godgeleerden, befaamde Ketters, en der zelver gevoelens, benevens een Historisch verhaal van de Concilien en Kerkvergaderingen, de instelling en voortgang van de Geestelyke en Wereldlyke Ordens, en de levens van der zelver stichters; Voorts de levensbedryven der Keizeren, Koningen, Keurvorsten, Vorsten, Opperveldheeren, vermaarde Krygshelden, uitmuntende Staatsdienaren, geleerde mannen, en der zelver werken, wysgeren, eerste uitvinders van kunsten, dichters, en in het algemeen van alle degenen, die zich in alle soorten van beroepingen door hunne wetenschappen, of uitmuntende bedryven hebben vermaard gemaakt; Als Mede Een Historisch Verhaal en Zedekundige Uitlegging van de oude Heidensche verdichtselen en fabelen, der zelven gewaande Goden en Godinnen, de aloude Eeuw-, Ren- en Schouwspelen, benevens degenen, die tegenwoordig by openbare en andere plegtigheden gebruikelyk zyn; als mede alle andere ceremoniën en gewoontens; de benamingen der waardigheden en eerampten; verscheidene kloostergeloften en gezindheden van Christenen, Joden en Heidenen; Wetten, Willekeuren, Plakkaten en Ordonnantiën, die in de geschiedenissen der byzondere rijken en staten aanmerkelyk zyn; Verder Eene Geographische, Staatkundige en Historische Beschryving van de Keizerryken, Koninkryken, Vorstendommen, Republyken, Landschappen, Eilanden, Gebergten, Rivieren, Steden, Kasteelen, Kloosters, en andere aanmerkelyke plaatsen der oude en nieuwe wereldbeschryving, met aanwyzinge van der zelver gelegenheid, naam, uitgestrektheid, oorsprong, staatsbestier, regeringswyze, godsdienst, wetten, zeden, gewoontens, enz. enz. Eindelyk Eene Zeer Nauwkeurige Genealogische Beschryving van de doorluchtige afkomsten der aloude en hedendaagsche gekroonde hoofden en aanzienlyke geslachten des gehelen aardbodems, der zelver verdeeling in stamhuizen en liniën, en van alle de voornaamste familien, byzonderlyk de Zeventien Nederlandsche Provincien betreffende. Alles in een nette order naar het alphabeth, en volgens de schikking, die de bovengemelde en andere vermaarde schryvers in hunne woorden-boeken in andere talen gehouden hebben, opgestelt, vertaalt, en met een aanzienlyk getal artikels doorgaans en alom, doch voornamentlyk ten opzichte van de zaken der Nederlanden, waar van andere woorden-boeken weinig of niets melden, uit allerlei zo gedrukte als geschrevene boeken, papieren, echte berichten en bewijzen (in Dutch). OCLC 64863242 (all editions).
    1725. Under the supervision of David van Hoogstraten [nl; fr] (1658–1724) and Matthæus Brouërius Van Nidek (1677–1742) (Wikidata – QID 99661736).
    1732. Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague: Brunel, de Wetsteins en Smith, Waesberge, de Wed. de Coup [The Widow of de Coup], Humbert. Willem van de Water. Leiden, Samuel Luchtmans [nl] (1685–1757). The widow of Adrian Moetjens [fr], Van Dole, Vaillant.

### German eds.

* 1709 (1st ed.). Allgemeines Historisches Lexicon, in welchem das Leben und die Thaten der Patriarchen, Propheten, Apostel, Väter der ersten Kirchen, Päbste, Cardinale, Bischöffe, Prälaten, vornehmer Gottes-Gelährten, nebst denen Ketzern wie nicht weniger der Käyser, Könige, Chur- und Fürsten, grosser Helden und Ministern ingleichen der berühmten Gelährten, Scribenten und Künstler ferner ausführliche Nachrichten von den ansehnlichsten gräflichen, adelichen und andern Familien, von Conciliis, Münchs- und Ritter-Orden, heydnischen Göttern, etc. und endlich die Beschreibungen der Käyserthümer, Königreiche, Fürstenthümer, freyer Staaten, Landschafften, Inseln, Städte, Schlösser, Klöster, Gebürge, Flüsse und so fort, in alphabetischer Ordnung mit bewährten Zeugnissen vorgestellet werden [General Historical Lexicon, in which the lives and deeds of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, fathers of the early churches, popes, cardinals, bishops, prelates, eminent theologians, along with the Heretics, as well as those of the emperors, kings, electors, and princes, great heroes, and ministers; likewise of the renowned scholars, writers, and artists; furthermore, detailed accounts of the most distinguished countly, noble, and other families, of church councils, monastic and knightly orders, pagan gods, etc.; and finally, the descriptions of the empires, kingdoms, principalities, free states, regions, islands, cities, castles, monasteries, mountains, rivers, and so forth; presented in alphabetical order with verified sources]. Preface by Johann Franz Buddeus (1667–1729). Leipzig: Published by Thomas Fritsch (bookseller) [de; pl; eo] (1666–1726).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) OCLC 8086052 (all editions).
* 1722 (2nd ed.). Allgemeines Historisches Lexicon, das Leben und die Thaten in welchem derer Patriarchen, Propheten, Apostel, Vätter der ersten Kirchen, Päbste, Cardinäle, Bischöffe, Prälaten, vornehmer Gottes-Gelährten, nebst denen Ketzern; wie nicht weniger derer Käyser, Könige, Chur- und Fürsten, grosser Herren und Ministern; ingleichen derer berühmten Gelährten, Scribenten und Künstler; ferner ausführliche Nachrichten von den ansehnlichsten Gräflichen, Adelichen und andern Familien, von Conciliis, Münchs- und Ritter-Orden, Heydnischen Göttern, u. und endlich die Beschreibungen derer Käyserthümer, Königreiche, Fürstenthümer, freyer Staaten, Landschafften, Inseln, Städte, Schlösser, Klöster, Gebürge, Flüsse und so fort, in alphabetischer Ordnung mit bewährten Zeugnissen vorgestellet werden [General Historical Lexicon, containing the lives and deeds in which the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, fathers of the early churches, popes, cardinals, bishops, prelates, eminent theologians, along with the heretics; as well as the emperors, kings, electors and princes, great lords, and ministers are recorded. Also included are notable scholars, writers, and artists; along with detailed accounts of the most prominent noble, aristocratic, and other distinguished families, of councils, monastic and knightly orders, heathen gods, and finally the descriptions of the empires, kingdoms, principalities, free states, regions, islands, cities, castles, monasteries, mountains, rivers, and more, arranged alphabetically and presented with verified sources] (2nd & enlarged ed.). Leipzig: Published by Thomas Fritsch (bookseller) [de; pl; eo] (1666–1726).

### Other online eds.

Online availability: Dictionnaire de Moréri and also here.