Vanishing Orientalism in Leiden

Abstract

For more than four centuries the city of Leiden has enjoyed a reputation in the study of Oriental languages and cultures. This fame was both linked to the scholars of its university, and to activities of printers and booksellers. Since 1683 a bookshop, which later became known as Brill’s Bookshop was one of the landmarks in this infrastructure of Oriental studies. The present owner’s decision to close shop in February 2006 is an occasion for reflection on the changes in scholarship on Muslim societies and the sources it uses.