The Musaeum and Library of Alexandria

"The Great Library of Alexandria" O Von Corven

"The Great Library of Alexandria" O Von Corven

The Musaeum of Alexandria, which housed the famous library, was founded in the 3rd century B.C.E. by the Ptolemies, and then disappeared around the 4th century C.E. The institution's original location is unknown but it figured as an important symbol for modern European scholars, especially in France.

Here are a few French encyclopedic entries:

MUSEE: Name of Place. Musaeum. It was formerly in the Palace of Alexandria, and occupied a quarter or even a third of the city. This area was called the Musée, because it was intended for the Muses and the Sciences. –Enclopedie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts, et des metiers entry by Louis de Jaucourt, 1734

MUSEUM: Usage has frenchified this word. One says equally, the Musaeum, the Muséon and the Musée of Alexandria. See Musée for discussion. –Encyclopedie, 1771

MUSEUM. This was the name of a literary establishment founded in Alexandria by the Ptolemies.– Encyclopédie Méthodique by Antoine Chrysostome Quatremere de Quincy, 1800