The Bibliothèque nationale from 1792 to 1794: Becoming a National Institution during the French Revolution

Significant changes occurred within cultural institutions in France as a result of the Revolution of 1789. Museums and libraries, which had operated previously under the crown's jurisdiction, were transformed into national institutions intended to serve as visible symbols of republican pride accessible to the public. Under Jean Roland as interior minister, laws were passed and actions taken to preserve the rich heritage of the past and to add to its collections through confiscations of valuable materials from the church, émigrés, and those condemned or executed. The combined efforts of experienced scholars, zealous patriots, and government officials between 1792 and 1794 made possible the preservation, enrichment, and continuity of the Bibliothèque nationale during a period of social and political upheaval.