BURTON, Robert

Robert Burton (1577–1640) was an English author and Oxford University fellow, renowned for his comprehensive work, 'The Anatomy of Melancholy.' Born into a gentry family, he pursued a lengthy education at Oxford, experiencing periods of melancholy himself. Burton held various administrative and library roles at Christ Church and also served in ecclesiastical positions.

His magnum opus, 'The Anatomy of Melancholy,' first published in 1621, was a vast, digressive exploration of human emotions, particularly melancholy. Burton wrote it both to understand his own afflictions and to assist others, filling it with extensive quotations from a wide range of classical and contemporary sources. The book underwent numerous revisions and expansions by Burton himself.

Despite facing initial obscurity, Burton's work gained recognition over time, influencing later writers and attracting distinguished readers. His legacy is primarily tied to 'The Anatomy,' a testament to his deep learning and introspective nature, which continues to be studied for its insights into the human condition and its encyclopedic compilation of knowledge.

Born in 1577 to a landed gentry family, Robert Burton attended grammar schools before matriculating at Oxford University at age 15. His academic career at Oxford was notably extended, possibly due to bouts of melancholy. He transferred to Christ Church, earned advanced degrees, and became qualified as a tutor. During his time at Oxford, Burton also engaged in early literary efforts, including Latin poems and academic plays, one of which, 'Philosophaster,' survives as a notable example of university drama.

After obtaining his Master of Arts, Burton sought to move beyond university life but secured ecclesiastical appointments, including the living of St Thomas the Martyr's Church in Oxford, and benefices in Walesby and Seagrave. He also held administrative duties within Oxford and served as the librarian of Christ Church Library until his death. Burton found a measure of contentment in his scholarly life within Oxford's libraries, a sentiment reflected in his writings.

Burton's most significant contribution, 'The Anatomy of Melancholy,' was first published in 1621 and was subsequently revised and enlarged by the author multiple times. This monumental work, which grew to over 500,000 words in its final edition, is a complex and digressive exploration of melancholy and related human emotions. Burton stated he wrote it as much to alleviate his own suffering as to offer solace and understanding to others. The book is characterized by its vast erudition, densely packed with quotations and paraphrases from a wide array of classical and contemporary authorities.

Robert Burton died in 1640, with rumors circulating about the cause of his death. His extensive personal library was divided between Oxford institutions. While 'The Anatomy of Melancholy' was recognized and even plagiarized by contemporaries, its popularity waned in the 18th century before being revived in the 19th century, partly due to the revelation of plagiarism by Laurence Sterne. The work has since attracted significant academic attention and has been admired by distinguished readers across centuries, including Samuel Johnson, John Keats, and Samuel Beckett.

“think no slavery in the world (as once I did myself) like to that of a Grammar Scholar”

“excellent skill in chirurgery”