Qu'est-ce que les archives ? Un débat insolite au sein des facultés parisiennes en 1878

Abstract

What are archives ? An unusual debate in the University of Paris in 1878. In 1878 a controversy between the archivist and the librarian of the Faculty of Medicine of Paris led the deans of the Parisian Faculties to study the concept of archives. An account of the discussion is given in the article. In a context where the positive image of the library was prevalent, the concept of archives was both devaluated and ill-identified. According to the then predominant " functionalist " theory, the distinction between the respective fields of archives and libraries was based on a criterium of finality (archives = secrecy, internal and administrative use ; library = publicity, use by researchers from outside). In view of this system, the concept of archival document per se scarcely emerged. The text studied in this article is a building-stone for a history, yet to be written, of the concept of archives, — a history which would somehow be a mirror of the conscience which administrations have of themselves.