Books

Bring it again to mind and consider faithfully what ye receive through books, and ye will find that books are, as it were, the creators of your distinction, without which other favorers would have been wanting.

-       De Bury[1]

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 [1] Richard de Bury, or Richard Aungerville, an English bibliophile, writer and bishop, was born near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk towards the end of the 13^th century. He started his education under his uncle, John de Willoughby, then went to Oxford, where he distinguished himself in philosophy and theology. He became tutor to Prince Edward of Windsor (later Edward III). Intrigues surrounding the deposition of Edward II caused him to go into hiding, but when Edward III acceded, his star rose—Cofferer to the King; Treasurer of Wardrobe, and then Clerk of the King’s privy seal. Later he was made ambassador to the papal court. Advancements continued, and in 1334 de Bury was made Lord Chancellor.  He traveled as a negotiator to France, Flanders, and Scotland. After 1342, he left national politics and settled into a quieter life in his diocese in Durham.

Throughout his career, Richard had been an enthusiastic collector of books. He sent far and wide in search of manuscripts. Even as poverty came to mark his later years, he would spare no price to acquire a desired volume. The record of his passion for books, his Philobiblon, was completed in January 1345; two months later, he died.  (Source: nndb.com)