Richard de Bury

Born in 1287, Richard de Bury rose to prominence in church and royal service, eventually becoming Bishop of Durham. He worked closely with England’s rulers and was trusted with important diplomatic and administrative responsibilities, which placed him near the center of public life in the reign of Edward III.

He is most famous today for Philobiblon, a short Latin work that reflects his enthusiasm for books, study, and the care of libraries. The book helped preserve his reputation as one of medieval England’s great bibliophiles, and he is often associated with the growth of book collecting and scholarly culture in his time.

Richard de Bury died in 1345. Even centuries later, he remains an appealing historical figure because he combined the power of a statesman and churchman with the heart of a devoted reader.