The Vernadsky National Library acquired early printed works by Voltaire, Chevalier, and Marshall that mention Ukraine

Multinational digital payments corporation Visa has donated a collection of 17th- and 18th-century European early printed books that mention and describe Ukraine to the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.

The library’s collection now includes works by the French philosopher Voltaire, the French author and diplomat Pierre Chevalier, and the British traveler Joseph Marshall. Originally acquired from private collectors abroad for the interactive exhibition “Ukraine WOW,” which drew more than 250,000 visitors, the books have now joined the collection of the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.

“We believe that by investing in cultural initiatives, we help unlock the country’s potential. The donation to the library of works by the traveler Marshall, the philosopher Voltaire, and the diplomat Chevalier is a chance to preserve them for future generations. We are incredibly pleased that these editions are now part of the rare book collection at the Vernadsky National Library, where they will be available for research and study by anyone interested in history,” said Tetyana Chorna, Vice President and Regional Manager of Visa in Ukraine.

Among the donated publications is Voltaire’s two-volume work “History of Charles XII, King of Sweden” (1731). In the book, Voltaire described the events of the Great Northern War on Ukrainian lands, in particular the alliance between Hetman [a historical political and military title in Central and Eastern Europe, most famously referring to the supreme leader and military commander of Ukrainian Cossacks] Ivan Mazepa and Charles XII and the Battle of Poltava. Voltaire had never been to Ukraine, but he drew on the works of Guillaume Levasseur de Beauplan, Henri-Philippe de Limiers, and Dmitry Kantemir, as well as information from emigrants and contemporaries of the events. In particular, Voltaire spoke with Hryhorii Orlyk, the son of Hetman Pylyp Orlyk, Baron Friedrich Ernst von Fabrice, and the Marquis de Maison, and corresponded with eyewitnesses to the war. Among his informants was also King Stanisław Leszczyński of Poland, an ally of the Swedes during the Great Northern War.

In his work, Voltaire wrote about Ukraine as a distinct political and geographical entity in European history. He also avoided using the word “Russia,” opting instead for the term “Muscovy.” In one passage from the first volume, the philosopher noted: “Ukraine has always been inspired to be free.”

The library also received a copy of Chevalier’s 1663 work “A discourse of the original, countrey, manners, government and religion of the Cossacks: with another of the Precopian Tartars : and the history of the wars of the Cossacks against Poland.” This is an account of Ukraine during the era of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, written by a contemporary of those events. Chevalier was a French officer, diplomat, and secretary of the French embassy in Warsaw. In his work, he described the daily life, faith, military organization, cities, and political structure of the Cossacks. In particular, Chevalier mentioned such cities as Kyiv, Bila Tserkva, Korsun, Chyhyryn, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Pereyaslav, Uman, Vinnytsia, Lubny, Fastiv. Chevalier also described the Cossack army, fortifications, boats, and naval expeditions.

Another addition to the library’s collection is a four-volume work by the British traveler Marshall. Between 1768 and 1770, Marshall traveled through Europe, including Ukrainian lands. Upon his return, he published “Travels through… Russia, Ukraine and Poland” in 1772. In 1770, his route took him through Starodub, Chernihiv, Kyiv and Ochakiv. In his notes, Marshall referred to Kyiv as the capital of Ukraine and described the city, the Dnipro River, trade, the fertility of Ukrainian lands and the local economy. He also noted: “I have not yet seen a country that resembles the best provinces of England as much as I have observed in Ukraine.”

Library users will be able to view the donated works in the reading room of the Department of Early Printed Books and Rare Editions. The books will also be displayed in showcases during tours of the department.

“For the library, this is not just an addition to its collection. It is an opportunity for everyone to gain a deeper understanding of their own history and to explore how Voltaire, Chevalier, and Marshall viewed Ukraine. Each of the donated publications helps to rethink the established perceptions of Ukraine that have taken shape over the centuries. At the same time, it offers every reader, no matter where they are in the world, a chance to learn more about our history, as the books will soon be digitized and made available on the library’s website,” said Yuriy Kovtanyuk, Deputy Director General for Research at the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine.

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