Rodolphe Reuss
La cathédrale de Strasbourg pendant la Révolution. (1789-1802)
"La cathédrale de Strasbourg pendant la Révolution (1789-1802)" by Rodolphe Reuss is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work examines the tumultuous events surrounding the Strasbourg Cathedral during the French Revolution, focusing on the political and religious upheaval in Alsace from the start of the revolution until the reestablishment of Christian worship. The book promises to explore the impact of these events on the cathedral as a significant cultural and religious symbol. The opening of the text sets the stage for a detailed narrative about the fate of Strasbourg Cathedral amidst the revolutionary turmoil. It describes how the cathedral, once a site of reverence and artistic beauty, became the center of conflict between different factions, including revolutionary and royalist forces. Reuss highlights the physical and symbolic transformations the cathedral underwent during the Revolution, including its conversion into a "Temple of Reason" and later a sanctuary dedicated to the "Supreme Being." The text hints at the complexities of the societal changes in Strasbourg, as various religious and political groups navigated the upheaval, aiming to maintain their influence and identity against the backdrop of a rapidly changing France.