Robert burton the anatomy of melancholy folio society. Robert burtons astounding compendium, a survey of melancholy in all its myriad forms, has invited nothing but superlatives since its publication in the seventeenth century. The anatomy of melancholy is a book by robert burton. Prior to burtons work, the condition known as melancholy a premodern notion of depression was thought. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton pseudonym democritus jr. First published in 1621, the anatomy of melancholy remains a humorous. On its surface, the book is a medical textbook in which burton applies his large and varied learning in the scholastic manner to the subject of melancholia which includes what is now termed clinical depression. I became aware of its existence last year and soon came upon the folio society edition which looks very nice, and was going to get that but in the end went for a 1927 two volume edition instead, for no reason other than i like to mix up the editions of books i have between.
Nov 06, 2016 the anatomy of melancholy by robert burton pseudonym democritus jr. Hi, id like to ask something that i have been unable to find out. One jumps in and begins dog paddling, floating, diving, and surfing, because this book is a sum of a lifes learning. The anatomy of melancholy now for the first time with the latin completely given in translation and embodied in an allenglish text by robert burton. Robert burton the anatomy of melancholy partitions folio society. I had come to terms with my mothers death three years earlier, was publishing my first novel, was getting along with my family, had emerged intact from a powerful twoyear relationship, had bought a beautiful new house, was writing well. At times, issue refers to timing, such as the first.
The life loves and family of the celebrated grace dalrymple elliott, we uncover graces maternal family for the first time and. Amusing, touching, and unsettling, the melancholy of anatomy is that most wonderful of fictions, one that makes us see the world in an entirely new light. If one had to prepare for a desertisland exile and could take only a handful of books along, then the anatomy of melancholy is surely a volume one would insist on taking. The anatomy of melancholy is a threevolume set containing the titles. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton edited by karl hagen. I know that the folio edition of the anatomy of melancholy is complete, based on the dent edition and all, but ive seen the nyrb edition and burtons notes have been moved to the end of each partition i dont know if its the same with the dent id like to know if the folio keeps them at least at the foot of the page, if not. Issue a group of books issued by the publisher as a discrete unit.
If one had to pare down ones library to the barest minimum, robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy is a volume that one could never cull. In three maine partitions with their several sections, members, and subsections. Foldenyis extraordinary melancholy, with its profusion of literary, ecclesiastical, artistic, and historical insights, gives proof to such praise. He grew up in ohio and is a former professor of philosophy at washington university. Anatomy melancholy by robert burton, first edition abebooks. Melancholy, the subject of our present discourse, is either in disposition or in habit. Apr 10, 2012 hi, id like to ask something that i have been unable to find out. The anatomy of melancholy is, without a doubt, the best book ever written, bar none. The anatomy of melancholy was extensively praised and almost as widely read as the bible. In disposition, is that transitory melancholy which goes and comes upon every small occasion of sorrow, need, sickness, trouble, fear, grief, passion, or perturbation of the mind, any manner of care, discontent, or thought, which causes anguish, dulness.
No one really reads the anatomy of melancholy from stem to stern. I did not experience depression until i had pretty much solved my problems. Whats more, like the book alices sister was reading on that famous summer. The anatomy of melancholy by burton, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Burtons learned and satirical the anatomy of melancholy first published in 1621 is one of the last great works of english prose to have remained unedited. The huge and encyclopaedic anatomy of melancholy was produced by the english clergyman robert burton 15771640. It was one of the most popular books for almost 200 years after.
Thomas, oxford, and the rector of seabrave, leicestershire. The volume includes an index which gives biographical and bibliographical information concerning the more than 1550 authorities cited in the anatomy, most of whom are. Folio society s the anatomy of melancholy, by robert burton. Anatomy of melancholy, the, exposition by robert burton, published in 1621 and expanded and altered in five subsequent editions 1624, 1628, 1632, 1638, 165152. The big man samuel johnson said this was the only book that got him out of bed two hours earlier than he intended to rise. He served as a vicar in oxford and then as the rector of seagrave. Robert burton 15771640 was elected a student of christ church college, oxford, in 1599 and took his b. Typically early printed books and especially manuscripts. But what he calls windy melancholy, or hypochondriacal as in, under the cartilage melancholy, also seems still to be a solid part of the everyday english experience, which burton. All my joys to this are folly, none so sweet as melancholy. It shifts from sad to selfreflexive, from satirical to serious, including an eclectic mix of quotations many in latin from literature, philosophy and science. This volume inaugurates an authoritative edition of the work, which is being prepared by a team of scholars from both sides of the atlantic. Slipcase has rubbing and marking, with damp marks to top.
This compelling and occasionally comic study of melancholy became cult reading in the 17th century and has inspired artists from keats to cy. The anatomy of melancholy, folio society box set of 3. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton folio society 2005 3. Robert burton the anatomy of melancholy folio society devotees. On english melancholy the history of emotions blog. Being extracts from the anatomy of melancholy chosen to interest the psychologist in every man by burton, robert and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. So in middecember i walked into a christmas party on the upper west side and i had an o. The anatomy of melancholy, in all of its distracting confusion, is finally something of a mercy, and it is the only mercy to be found within its confines.
The anatomy of melancholy illustrated by robert burton. It will be followed by two further volumes of text with textual apparatus, and two volumes of. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Here is the body turned inside out, its members set free, its humors released upon the world. Burtons the anatomy of melancholy, published by the folio society. Burtons work is richly varied and at times bewilderingly rambling. Hard card slip case with gilt lettering to one side. This, the final volume of the clarendon press edition of burtons anatomy of melancholy, contains commentary on the third partition, in which burton considers two especial forms of the disease, love and religious melancholy. This is part of my ongoing project to read maximalist fiction really, to read the longest, most complex books i can find.
The big man samuel johnson said this was the only book that got him out. Folio societys the anatomy of melancholy, by robert. One of the most fascinating books in literature there is a unique charm in burtons anatomy of melancholy. I became aware of its existence last year and soon came upon the folio society edition which looks very nice, and was going to get that but in the end went for a 1927 two volume edition instead, for no reason other than i like to mix up the editions of books i have between different publishers rather than focus on the lec and the fs. Hearts bigger than planets devour light and warp the space around them. Imprint satement of place, publisher and date of publication on a books title page. I have finally finished a careful reading of robert burtons anatomy of melancholy, along with a wonderful book by ruth fox, the tangled chain. Aug 17, 2001 the anatomy of melancholy by robert burton nyrb classics.
The anatomy of melancholy appeared in five editions during the authors lifetime and has been reprinted countless times since. The anatomy of melancholy is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621. Anatomy of melancholy, the work by burton britannica. Jun 17, 2011 the anatomy of melancholy now for the first time with the latin completely given in translation and embodied in an allenglish text by robert burton.
The structure of disorder in the anatomy of melancholy. Unclassifiable, inimitable, clever and wonderfully idiosyncratic, robert burtons vast compendium of wit and learning, the anatomy of melancholy, is one of the. Society the anatomy of melancholy 3 volumes buy this 3 volume set here. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton free at loyal books. Burtons anatomy of melancholy, a book once the favourite of the learned. This is the third and final text volume of the clarendon edition of robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy. Philosophically, medicinally, historically, opened and cut up is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621, but republished five more times over the. His book, part history of the term melancholy and part analysis of the melancholic disposition, explores many centuries to explore melancholys ambiguities. In the course of his folio he has contrived to treat a great variety of topics, that. It is, rather, robert burtons view of mankind and mankinds condition. Johnson said, was the only book that ever took him out of bed two hours sooner than he wished to rise. Fish, in selfconsuming artifacts i write of melancholy, by being busy to avoid melancholy, explained robert burton, author of that rollicking compendium the anatomy of. Burton considers melancholy to be an inbred malady in all of us and admits that he is not a little offended by it himself p. What it is, with all the kinds, causes, symptomes, prognostickes, and seuerall cures of it.
A checklist of a part of the collection in memory of sarah bixby smith 18711935. The third focuses on two particular types love melancholy and religious melancholy. Editions of the anatomy of melancholy by robert burton. The text is divided into three major sections plus an introduction, the whole written in burtons sprawling style. Anatomy of melancholy robert burton bauman rare books. It was one of the most popular books for almost 200 years after it was published. The anatomy of melancholy is an especially lengthy book, the first edition being a single quarto volume nearly 900 pages long. This catalog page is provided by the online books page.
It explores a dizzying assortment of mental afflictions, including what might now be called depression. The anatomy of melancholy robert burton oxford university. Robert burton anatomy of melancholy, 1621 would have added a peculiar diet to the problems of english melancholy, one heavy on the onions perhaps. I cant even underline sentences, because the whole book would be underlined. Burtons anatomy of melancholy is a valuable book, said dr. The anatomy of melancholy 1955 edition open library. Burton elaborately divides the anatomy into four main sections and numerous subsections, each of which treats the causes, symptoms and cures of various types of melancholy. With all the kinds, causes, symptomes, prognostickes, and several cures of it. This, the fifth volume of the clarendon press edition of robert burtons anatomy of melancholy, contains commentary on the text from partition 1, section 2, member 4, subsection 1 until the end of part. The anatomy of melancholy, folio society box set of 3 robert burton on.
Librivox recording of the anatomy of melancholy, volume 1, by robert burton. In the first part of the treatise, burton defines the inbred malady of melancholy, discusses its causes, and sets down the symptoms. Burtons anatomy of melancholy, 1628 the british library. Editions of the anatomy of melancholy by robert burton goodreads. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton loyal books.
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