Jean Charles Léonard Simonde de Sismondi - Histoire des Français - 1821-1844

Sismonde de Sismondi (Jean Charles Léonard)

Histoire des Français.

Paris, at Treuttel and Würtz, 1821-1844.

31 volumes small octavo (19 x 12 cm), half red morocco (binding from the period), spine with raised bands ornamented, 500 to 600 pages per volume (complete). Upper and lower edges worn, a tear to the edge in Volume I, foxing more or less pronounced depending on the volumes. Overall good condition.

Rare complete copy of the 31 volumes (Volume 31 being the general alphabetical index) of the impressive "History of the French" by the Swiss economist and historian Jean de Sismondi (1773-1842).
Influenced in his early years by Adam Smith and Ricardo, he distinguishes himself in 1819 by publishing his "New Principles of Political Economy," in which he critiques a liberalism that generates overproduction crises that harshly affect the populations. Having taken an interest in the history of the Italian republics in the Middle Ages, Sismondi was then led to turn to the history of France, which influenced European history so greatly. A Protestant, he regards himself as a rationalist and will criticize Jules Michelet’s History of France, to which he will write: "I need not tell you that I am Protestant and remain rationalist, so that the zeal of faith that makes you adopt with even greater ardor, with even more emotion a belief that is more mystical, is a disposition wholly contrary to the one with which I have considered the same facts."