Michel De Montaigne, Marie De Gournay And Justus Lipsius. Some Overlooked Particulars Preserved At Leiden University Library

Abstract

It is well known that of the correspondence between Justus Lipsius and Michel de Montaigne only three letters have been preserved. They were written in Latin by Lipsius to the famous French philosopher in the course of the years 1588–1589 and included in his Epistolarum centuria altera , published by Franciscus Raphelengius in Leiden in 1590. The correspondence which interests author most is the one between Justus Lipsius and Montaigne’s spiritual foster-daughter, Marie Le Jars de Gournay. Her first letter to Lipsius is not preserved; it was written in 1588, perhaps at Montaigne’s suggestion, or because she was looking for another patron, who might help and encourage her with her literary studies and interest in Antiquity. The original letter is still preserved at Leiden University Library, ms. Lips. 4 (G) and was first edited by J.-F. Payen. Keywords: Epistolarum centuria altera ; Franciscus Raphelengius; Justus Lipsius; Leiden University Library; letter; Marie Le Jars de Gournay; Michel De Montaigne