A rare acquisition from our 17th-century librarian

Robert Burton was born into a Leicestershire family in 1577. He completed his degree at Christ Church and remained here for most of his adult life, holding the position of Librarian from 1624 until his death in 1640. Burton was the author of The Anatomy of Melancholy – his life’s work and only book – which was first published in 1621 and is still an influential work in the study of mental illness and depression. The Anatomy of Melancholy guided English readers through the copious and often contradictory continental sources on melancholy. It is a book made of readings of other books which also presents itself as therapy for the reader: an absorbing distraction for the distressed mind. 

The Anatomy expanded relentlessly in Burton’s lifetime, as he constantly reworked the text and added extra material to each new edition. It won a wide readership among Burton’s learned contemporaries across Europe and remained popular long after Burton’s death. In the 18th century the great 18th-century literary figure Samuel Johnson turned to The Anatomy in his repeated depressions, declaring it was 'the only book that ever took him out of bed two hours sooner than he wished to rise'.

Scot’s Mensa Philosophica is a handbook devoted to the art of dining conversation, including information on dietetic and medical benefits. Burton used the book when working on the second edition of The Anatomy (1624). The book has Burton’s cipher and signature on the title page. Burton had an extensive library and most of the books he is known to have possessed still survive: Burton bequeathed his library to the Bodleian Library and to Christ Church after making some personal bequests to friends. 

The book has been reunited with Burton’s other books at Christ Church Library and is now available for teaching, learning, and research in the Library.