Charles Etienne Brasseur de Bourbourg

Abbé Charles-Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg (8 September, 1814 – 8 January, 1874) was a noted French writer, ethnographer, historian and archaeologist. He became a specialist in Mesoamerican studies, travelling extensively in the region. His writings, publications, and recovery of historical documents contributed much to the later understanding of the region's languages, writing, history and culture (in particular, that of the Maya and Aztec).

Early life and writings

He was born at Bourbourg, a small town with many Flemish influences near Dunkirk, France, just as the First French Empire was drawing to a close.

Related Topics:
Bourbourg - Flemish - Dunkirk, France - First French Empire

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As a youth he went to Ghent in the newly-independent Belgian state to study theology and philosophy. He became interested in writing during his studies there, and in 1837 aged 23 he began contributing essays to a Parisian journal. He wrote several historical accounts (using a pseudonym), including one on Jerusalem. He also had several novels published, written in a Romantic vein which was then very much in vogue. One of these, Le Sérapéon, received reviews which implied it bore a very close resemblance to François-René de Chateaubriand's 1809 novel, Les Martyrs. Such near-allegations of plagiarism and inaccuracies in his works were to be made several times throughout his career.

Related Topics:
Ghent - Belgian - Theology - Philosophy - 1837 - Paris - Romantic - François-René de Chateaubriand - Les Martyrs

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Despite such criticisms, his reputation as a notable young writer and intellectual continued to develop. He transferred his studies and residence to Rome, where in 1845 he was ordained into the Roman Catholic priesthood, at the age of 30.

Related Topics:
Rome - 1845 - Roman Catholic

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