The Library has recently acquired a rare book from the collection of its former Librarian, the influential scholar Robert Burton (1577–1640), author of The Anatomy of Melancholy. With the help of a generous grant from the Friends of the National Libraries, Christ Church has been able to purchase Burton’s copy of Michael Scot’s Mensa Philosophica, published in Leipzig in 1603.  

Burton completed his degree at Christ Church and remained here for the rest of his life. He held the position of Librarian from 1624 until his death.  Burton was the author of The Anatomy of Melancholy, one of the most popular books of the seventeenth century and still an influential work in the study of mental illness and depression.  First published in 1621, The Anatomy is made of readings of other books which also presents itself as therapy for the reader: an absorbing distraction for the distressed mind. Burton constantly reworked the text and added extra material to each new edition.The Anatomy won a wide readership among Burton’s learned contemporaries across Europe and remained popular long after his death. In the 18th century, 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 which was published in 1624.  The volume 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.