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Michigan State University

Primary Resources for French Studies: M.S.U. Libraries' Murray and Hong Special Collections

This is a guide for finding primary sources about France/the French, including Special Collections' French Monarchy Collection. Last updated 06-26-2023

M.S.U. Libraries' Murray and Hong Special Collections

Murray and Hong Special Collections, Main, Remote Storage, and Fine Arts contain the French Monarchy Collection. Built by a wealthy French industrialist, M.S.U. Libraries acquired the collection in 1961.   It includes over 6,000 monographic volumes and 3,000 pamphlets, both primary and secondary sources, published in France, in French, about the history and social life of France, European history, heraldry, histories of individual families, genealogies, biographies, works on the French royal families, and works on the French monarchical institution from the 10th c. to the 19th centuries, including the art and architecture of the period. Its publication dates range from 1500 into the 20th century.  There is no particular printed or online guide to this collection's contents.  Access to it is via author, title, keyword, and L.C. subject heading searches in Books and Media for M.S.U. Libraries. If the location of an item on a French topic is Murray and Hong Special Collections it is likely part of this collection. If you wish to use Murray and Hong Special Collections’ materials specifically, try confining your search to the library location “Special Collections” in the Location area on the lower right using the advanced search form.

View our short online video about using Murray and Hong Special Collections.