Apologie des grands hommes accusez de magie

First edition, another edition appeared on the same date published by Besongné. A relatively rare but celebrated book.
Contemporary full calf binding, spine with raised bands decorated. Overall rubbed. The head cap is missing by 2/3, one corner lacks leather, part of the edges are without leather, some lacks at the raised bands.
Gabriel Naudé (1600-1653) was born in Paris. He was a physician but more of a philosopher as he had also studied literature and philosophy; of all his books, the apology is the only one that remains to us. He was successively attached to Cardinal Barberini, to Cardinal Mazarin (he was responsible for collecting the works for Mazarin's library), to Cardinal Richelieu then to Queen Christina, also as librarian, apart from the famous 'Advis pour dresser une bibliothèque'. He is an heir to humanism who advocates a return to strict rationalism; this work is its application, establishing that one must exercise judgment and study causes and effects before condemning. One finds much precious information on the accusations and practices of numerous men, Galen, Raymond Lull, Albertus Magnus, Saint Thomas Aquinas, along with a defense of the accusations that were brought against these men. Naudé dismantles beliefs about demons, the philosopher's stone and what they encompass.