Émile Legrand (scholar)

Émile Legrand (1841-1903) was a French scholar specializing in Modern Greek literature and history. He dedicated much of his life to the study and publication of texts from the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods, making significant contributions to the understanding of Greek culture under Ottoman rule.

Legrand was born in Dieppe. He worked as a librarian at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, a position that allowed him access to a vast collection of manuscripts. His research focused primarily on the vernacular literature of Greece, encompassing folk songs, romances, and theatrical works.

His major works include the monumental "Bibliothèque grecque vulgaire" (1880-1903), a collection of texts and studies covering various aspects of popular Greek literature. He also published critical editions of numerous individual texts, providing valuable introductions and notes. Furthermore, Legrand compiled biographical dictionaries of Greek writers and printers, shedding light on the individuals who contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Greek culture.

Legrand’s scholarship was characterized by its meticulousness and dedication to primary sources. His work remains a foundational resource for scholars working on Modern Greek literature and the cultural history of Greece under Ottoman rule. His contributions helped to bring greater attention to the value and importance of vernacular Greek traditions.