Positioned across from the Savane in Fort-de-France, the building of glass and iron mixes Romano-Byzantine, Art Nouveau and neo-Egyptian influences. Schoelcher Library was built under the orders of the architect Pierre-Henri Picq in 1887.
It was first presented to the public in Paris, then was dismantled and transported in a boat to be rebuilt on site in the island six years later. It owes its name to Victor Schoelcher Under Secretary of State for the Navy and the colonies that had prompted the government of the 2nd Republic to sign the abolition of slavery in April 1848. Victor Schoelcher wanted the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of the martinican population is accompanied by access to culture for all.
In 1883, he donated to Martinique of 10,000 books which formed the initial funds for the library. Most of these books have disappeared in a fire in 1890. The building has since been classified as a historical monument.
