Richard De Bury

The Love of Books: the Philobiblon of Richard De Bury (Dodo Press)

Richard Aungerville (or Aungervyle) (1287-1345), commonly known as Richard de Bury, was an English writer, bibliophile, Benedictine monk and bishop. He was a patron of learning, and one of the first English collectors of books. He is chiefly remembered for his Philobiblon (1339), written to inculcate in the clergy the pursuit of learning and the love of books. Richard de Bury was born near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. He was educated by John de Willoughby, and after leaving the grammar school was sent to the University of Oxford, where he studied philosophy and theology. He then became a Benedictine monk at Durham Cathedral. He was made tutor to the future King Edward III whilst Prince of Wales (whom he would later serve as high chancellor and treasurer of England) and, according to Thomas Frognall Dibdin, inspired the prince with his own love of books. In the Philobiblon, Richard de Bury frankly and clearly describes his means and method of collecting books. He gives an account of the wearied efforts made by himself and his agents to collect books.