Influenced by Voltaire, Collin de Plancy initially did not believe in superstition. Infernal Dictionary, or, a Universal Library on the beings, characters, books, deeds, and causes which pertain to the manifestations and magic of trafficking with Hell divinations, occult sciences, grimoires, marvels, errors, prejudices, traditions, folktales, the various superstitions, and generally all manner of marvellous, surprising, mysterious, and supernatural beliefs. The cover page for the 1826 edition reads:

This book attempts to provide an account of all the knowledge concerning superstitions and demonology.Īnecdotes of the nineteenth century or stories, recent anecdotes, features and little known words, singular adventures, various quotations, compilations and curious pieces, to be used for the history of the customs and the mind of the century in which we live, compared with centuries past. One thing I hope this blog will provide is feedback and assistance from fellow occultophiles out there.Dictionnaire Infernal was first published in 1818 and then divided into two volumes, with six reprints-and many changes-between 18. I plan on posting occasional updates as progression happens. No translation program is perfect and I’ll need to literally check and double check every word, name, phrase and date to make absolutely sure that what I write is what the original author intended to say. The 1863 edition, though lightly edited down from the 1818 version, contains an additional 500 articles, not to mention those incredible woodcut illos. The earlier edition contains content that was later edited out after De Plancy was born again. I plan to begin with the 1863 edition then add footnotes to include the 1818 information that was deleted. And so, with the assistance of Google translator I’m attempting a full translation. I know I’m not alone here in trying to find a complete English copy. Both are amazing books, especially the illustrated edition, but both are in the original French language, and French ain’t my thing, baby!.

I’ve discovered PDF copies of the complete works from De Plancy’s 1818 edition, as well as the fully illustrated, much coveted 1863 edition. Though it’s in English, It’s a mere fraction of the complete 800 page work. The closest I’ve discovered is a 1965 book titled The Witches Dictionary. I’ve been all over the internet looking for an English version of Collin De Plancy’s DICTIONNAIRE INFERNAL.

Dictionnaire infernal 1818 pdf