Richard Girard de Bury

Born in 1287, Richard de Bury became an English bishop, royal official, and diplomat during the reign of Edward III. He served in several important roles, including treasurer and later bishop of Durham, which placed him close to the center of English political and church life.

He is most famous for Philobiblon, a lively Latin work in praise of books and learning, written near the end of his life. In it, he describes the pleasure of collecting manuscripts and the value of study, which is why he is often remembered as one of the great book lovers of the medieval world.

Richard de Bury died in 1345. Although some details of his library and legacy are debated, his reputation has lasted because Philobiblon gives such a vivid picture of scholarly passion in the 14th century.