César de Missy 1703-1775
César DE MISSY 1703-1775
Biographical Note
Born in Berlin, son of Charles de Missy, a Huguenot merchant. After education at the French College in Berlin and the University of Frankfurt an der Oder he spent time as a preacher in the Netherlands before moving to London as minister at the French church in the Savoy. In 1762 he was appointed one of the French chaplains to George III. Although he published little he was an expert biblical scholar who established a large network of academic and cultural contacts in London and further afield.
Books
De Missy began buying books in earnest during the 1740s, with particular interests in early editions and manuscripts of the Greek New Testament, and he assembled a significant library. A 12th century illuminated Greek gospel book from his collection is now Add MS 4949 in the British Library; other letters and papers of his are in the British Library, the Bodleian, and various European libraries. His will has no mention of books but refers to the need to sell goods to meet financial commitments; his library was auctioned in London, beginning 18 March 1776, with a few items retained by his widow Elizabeth. Examples: Critici sacri, 1689, King's College London FOL BS505.C8.
Characteristic Markings
De Missy regularly inscribed his books "Ex libris Caesaris de Missy, Berolinensis", or similar, sometimes with the date of acquisition.
Sources
- Will of César de Missy, The National Archives PROB 11/1010/248.
- Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
- A catalogue of the valuable library of the Reverend Mr. Caesar De-Missy, [London, 1776].
- Nichols, J., Literary anecdotes of the eighteenth century, London, 1812, vol.3 305-14.
- Ossa-Richardson, Anthony. "Missy, César de (1703–1775), minister, scholar, and book collector." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
- Information from Emma Poole, King's College London