From the Author

This volume is the first comprehensive study of one of the most important collections of oriental manuscripts, in more than ten languages, in early modern Europe which belonged to Thomas Erpenius (d. 1624), the renowned Dutch Arabist, orientalist and the first Chair of Arabic Studies at Leiden University. My book reconstructs his personal library which was the center of scholarly debates for centuries, full of rare and sometimes unique materials. Widely known as a rich source of Muslim literature and Asian languages, the collection was purchased by George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham (d. 1628) and ultimately donated by his widow, Katherine Villiers, to Cambridge University Library in June 1632. This volume provides detail on Erpenius’ life and career, his manuscript collections and their reception and preservation in Cambridge. Thus, examining Erpenius’ collection demonstrates that he and most of his entourage wished to explore Eastern textual heritage not Eastern race, color, blood or Asian spices and mine of metals and golds! Early orientalists were keen to learn about oriental literature. (Majid Daneshgar)

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