A precursor of oriental studies in the East, Louis Cheikho collected manuscripts stemming all the way from Morocco to India. He then placed those books in the Bibliothèque Orientale in Beirut at the beginning of the twentieth century. This paper revisits Cheikho's endeavor to offer a nuanced perspective on manuscript collection beyond the traditional scope of Europe and North America. Drawing on archival research conducted at the Jesuit residence in Lebanon, I contend that Cheikho's mission transcended mere emulation of European institutions; rather, it reflected an aspiration to foster religious and linguistic education in the region, underpinned by notions of modernity and secularity. The case of the Bibliothèque Orientale illuminates the complexities of manuscript studies, providing insights into issues of access, ownership, and cultural heritage within an "Eastern" context. Beyond amassing manuscripts, Cheikho's diaries from World War I reveal his determination to safeguard these treasures amidst Beirut's turbulent events. In this paper, I also examine this narrative to demonstrate how religious rhetoric fluctuated as the war unfolded. In doing so, this paper aims to illuminate how manuscripts serve as both mirrors reflecting the history of the region and as pivotal elements in its evolving cultural dynamics. Through an examination of Louis Cheikho's collecting and safeguarding activities, it becomes apparent that these manuscripts are not merely artifacts but essential components in understanding the nuanced layers of the region's past and its ever-changing landscape.
Religious Studies/Theology
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