was an encyclopedia originally compiled by the Catholic priest and theologian Louis Moréri (1643–1680). By later standards, it was highly specialized, for nearly all of its entries were on geographical and historical subjects, but it marked the start of a flood of other dictionaries and encyclopedias in Europe's vernaculars. In addition to being successful in its own right, Moréri’s served as a springboard and foil for Pierre Bayle’s (1697).

Moréri’s appeared in numerous French editions between 1674 and 1759, growing in size with each edition. Moréri himself died after preparing materials for the second edition (1681). Thereafter, other Francophone scholars took charge of the compilation, notably Jean Le Clerc.

Le Grand Dictionnaire historique

The Grand Dictionnaire was also translated and adapted into English, German, Dutch, and Spanish.

Le Grand Dictionnaire historique

Online availability: Dictionnaire de Moréri and also here.

Le Grand Dictionnaire historique

References

French-language encyclopedias

1674 books

17th-century encyclopedias