Swiss-French philosopher and writer who held that the individual is essentially good but usually corrupted by society. His written works include The Social Contract and Emile. Rare unsigned manuscript, one page, 7.5 x 10, no date. Manuscript, in Old French, part of a projected work on the history of women that Rousseau undertook at the insistence of his patron Mme. Dupin, when he was employed as her secretary. In History Comes to Life, Rendell notes Rousseau's letters and documents are very rare, but his autograph material can be obtained in the form of a manuscript page, a group of which was broken up some time ago. One of these pages represents an excellent example of an otherwise extremely rare autograph. This is one of those pages. Consignor notes that it is a page from Rousseau's lost work on the history of women, which he wrote for Madame Dupin between 1745 and 1748. Consignor also notes that this contains a clear reference to prostitution. Rough right edge, bisecting horizontal fold and several pencil notations, otherwise fine condition. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
