Difference between revisions of "Robert Burton 1577-1640"
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====Books==== | ====Books==== | ||
| − | Burton’s library is well documented, and most of the [[size of library::1740 books]] he is known to have possessed survive today. Kiessling’s study shows that he acquired books throughout his life, both new and secondhand, with the content analysed as: 24% [[subject of books::theology]], 20% [[subject of books::literature]], 16% [[subject of books::history]], 9% [[subject of books::medicine]], 6% [[subject of books::government]], 5% [[subject of books::geography]] or travel, and the remainder a wide mix of subjects including [[subject of books::law]], [[subject of books::philosophy]], [[subject of books::agriculture]], [[subject of books::science]], [[subject of books::mathematics]] and marvels. Most of them seem to have been in simple, plain bindings. Burton bequeathed the bulk of [[bequeathed::his collection]] to be divided between the [[subsequent owner::Bodleian Library]] and [[subsequent owner::Christ Church College, Oxford|Christ Church]], the former having first choice. [[size of bequest::750 volumes]] were selected for the Bodleian, including much [[books have language::English]] and [[subject of books::literature|literary material]], with [[size of bequest::780 books|780]] going to Christ Church. He also bequeathed [[bequeathed::£100 to the Bodleian]]. Examples: numerous in the two main beneficiary libraries; | + | Burton’s library is well documented, and most of the [[size of library::1740 books]] he is known to have possessed survive today. Kiessling’s study shows that he acquired books throughout his life, both new and secondhand, with the content analysed as: 24% [[subject of books::theology]], 20% [[subject of books::literature]], 16% [[subject of books::history]], 9% [[subject of books::medicine]], 6% [[subject of books::government]], 5% [[subject of books::geography]] or travel, and the remainder a wide mix of subjects including [[subject of books::law]], [[subject of books::philosophy]], [[subject of books::agriculture]], [[subject of books::science]], [[subject of books::mathematics]] and marvels. Most of them seem to have been in simple, plain bindings. Burton bequeathed the bulk of [[bequeathed::his collection]] to be divided between the [[subsequent owner::Bodleian Library]] and [[subsequent owner::Christ Church College, Oxford|Christ Church]], the former having first choice. [[size of bequest::750 volumes]] were selected for the Bodleian, including much [[books have language::English]] and [[subject of books::literature|literary material]], with [[size of bequest::780 books|780]] going to Christ Church. He also bequeathed [[bequeathed::£100 to the Bodleian]]. Examples: numerous in the two main beneficiary libraries; [[present repository::British Library]] C.30.d.28; [[present repository::Durham University Library]] GHCC.C01A. |
====Characteristic markings==== | ====Characteristic markings==== | ||
Revision as of 05:55, 1 October 2019
Robert BURTON 1577-1640
Born at Lindley Hall, Leicestershire, second son of a country gentleman, Ralph Burton (1547-1619), and younger brother of the antiquary William Burton (q.v.). Matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford 1593, moved to Christ Church College, Oxford where he graduated BA 1602 (MA 1605, BD 1614). Spent the rest of his life resident in Oxford, as a Student of Christ Church; held a number of ecclesiastical livings, including being Vicar of St. Thomas’s, Oxford, 1616-40. Principally celebrated as the author of The anatomy of melancholy, first published in 1621, which went through eight editions in the 17th century.
Books
Burton’s library is well documented, and most of the 1740 books he is known to have possessed survive today. Kiessling’s study shows that he acquired books throughout his life, both new and secondhand, with the content analysed as: 24% theology, 20% literature, 16% history, 9% medicine, 6% government, 5% geography or travel, and the remainder a wide mix of subjects including law, philosophy, agriculture, science, mathematics and marvels. Most of them seem to have been in simple, plain bindings. Burton bequeathed the bulk of his collection to be divided between the Bodleian Library and Christ Church, the former having first choice. 750 volumes were selected for the Bodleian, including much English and literary material, with 780 going to Christ Church. He also bequeathed £100 to the Bodleian. Examples: numerous in the two main beneficiary libraries; British Library C.30.d.28; Durham University Library GHCC.C01A.
Characteristic markings
Regularly wrote a cipher of 3 r’s and his name, in various forms from R B to Robertus Burton[us], on titlepages; sometimes added the date of acquisition or the price paid. About a fifth of his books are further annotated on flyleaves or within the text.
Sources
Dictionary of National Biography; W. D. Macray, Annals of the Bodleian Library. 2nd edn, Oxford, 1890.90-92; N. Kiessling, The library of Robert Burton, Oxford, 1988; N. Kiessling, The legacy of Democritus junior, Oxford, 1990. N. Kiessling, The Library of Robert Burton: addenda and corrigenda, Notes &Queries 258 (2013), 523-6. Macray, 90-93. L. Erle, Shakespeare and the book trade, 2013, 210. N. Kiessling, The library of Robert Burton: new discoveries, The Book Collector 45 (1996), 172-79.