Dr. David Culpin of St. Andrew's University came across a rare piece of travel literature while studying at the library of Sir George Grey, who was governor of Cape Colony (today's Capetown) between 1854 and 1861.  The book was written in French by Charles-Etienne Boniface and published in South Africa in November 1829.  The title has been paraphrased as Account Of The Wreck Of The French Ship The Eole In April 1829; as the title states, it tells the story of the Eole, a French merchant vessel that sank off Africa's coast, and of its eight survivors, who were forced to walk barefoot for three weeks in search of safety. After months of research, Dr. Culpin was able to confirm that the story was true and based on the survivors' accounts.  The Eole was a French trading ship which sank during its return voyage from Calcutta.  Eight of the 20 passengers and crew survived, and they spent three days with the Xhosa people before their long trek to the nearest European settlement. The book is considered rare for several reasons.  It is believed to be the first book published in French and the first travel narrative published in South Africa.  The description provided in the book is also of importance.  Dr. Culpin notes that "the text offers an eyewitness account of contemporary Cape Town, and describes places like Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth just a few years after these settlements had been established."  In addition, although travel literature was a popular genre in the early 19th century, "only about 7% of travel narratives published at that time describe Africa, and even fewer give any descriptions of interaction between Europeans and indigenous people."  Finally, Dr. Culpin believes that no more than 200 copies would have been printed, the book being written in French in an English and Dutch speaking colony, and that few copies would have survived because they were sold unbound.  The book is estimated to be worth at least $8,000.  

Rare South African book found by Fife university expert