It explores a dizzying assortment of mental afflictions, including what might now be called depression. It contains the third partition, the table, edited from 16241651 editions, textual apparatus, and an index of persons. Complete summary of robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy. Robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy, first completed in 1621, appears to be a medical work, but is described in the tudor edition of 1927 by floyd dell and paul jordansmith tudor publishing company, new york as a sort of literary cosmos, an omnium gatherum, a compendium of everything that caught the fancy of the scholar. This is the third and final text volume of the clarendon edition of robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy. Anatomy of melancholy depression affects millions of americans each year, and many dont know where to turn when it strikes. 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. Robert burtons anatomy of melancholy 1621 can hardly be thought of as a modern study in psychiatry, but it contains more elements of modern theory than have been recognized. The decision to construct a stage performance from robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy 1621 is certainly an innovative one. Robert burton 8 february 1577 25 january 1640 was an english scholar at oxford university, best known for. 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. Democritus junior to the readerrobert burton the anatomy of melancholy excerpts taken from burton, robert. Democritus junior and why does he elect to write about melancholy. This volume inaugurates an authoritative edition of the work, which is being prepared by a team of scholars from both sides of the atlantic.
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 anatomy of melancholy online reading and multiple ebook formats at ex. Burtons anatomy of melancholy 193 cambridge university press. 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. Thomas, oxford, and the rector of seabrave, leicestershire. H burtons anatomy of melancholy should be on every doctors book shelf for it is surely the finest curiosityshop in. He served as a vicar in oxford and then as the rector of seagrave. These are very difficult to find in nice co edition limited to 750 copies, this no. Librivox recording of the anatomy of melancholy, volume 1, by robert burton.
The history of scholarship on robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy will be. The authors abstract of melancholy when i go musing all alone. Robert burton 15771640 the anatomy of melancholy is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621. Robert burtons contribution to literature was the anatomy of melancholy, a pseudoscientific investigation into and philosophical discussion of the possibilities of human happiness. No one really reads the anatomy of melancholy from stem to stern. The anatomy of melancholy by burton, robert, 15771640. The anatomy of melancholy appeared in five editions during the authors lifetime and. Johnson said, was the only book that ever took him out of bed two hours sooner than he wished to rise.
If you do not charge anything for copies of this ebook, complying with the. The first edition of the anatomy of melancholy appeared in 1621, in the same year as barclays argenis. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton edited by karl hagen. Robert burtons anatomy of melancholy, 1626, 2nd edition. 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. Though presented as a medical text, the anatomy of melancholy is as much. The time of this melancholy is, when the significators of any geniture are directed according to art, as the hor. A third volume of text and two volumes of commentary will follow. Listen to anatomy of melancholy volume 2 by robert burton.
With all the kinds, causes, symptomes, prognostickes, and several cures of it. Burtons anatomy of melancholy is a valuable book, said dr. Anatomy of melancholy, the work by burton britannica. The author recalls the greatest struggle of his life. The anatomy of melancholy is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621, but republished four more times over the next seventeen years. What it is, with all the kinds, causes, symptomes, prognostickes, and seuerall cures of it. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 1. The anatomy of melancholy robert burton 15771640 was born in leicestershire and educated at oxford, where he became librarian of christs church college, a position he held for life. 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 all in the mind abc radio. Robert burton was the son of ralph burton, of an ancient and genteel. The anatomy of melancholy poem by robert burton poem hunter. Burtons anatomy of melancholy, a book once the favourite of the. One jumps in and begins dog paddling, floating, diving, and surfing, because this book is a sum of a lifes learning.
In three maine partitions with their several sections, members, and subsections. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton free ebook. Robert burton 15771640 was elected a student of christ church college, oxford, in 1599 and took his b. It has been regarded as a mere conglomerate of miscellaneous excerpts, as a colossal jest, and the synopsis prefixed to each of the three parts as. Some new college musings if you walk east down the central aisle of christ church cathedral, you will find on your lefthand side, facing west, a monument to robert burton, the author of one of the most famous of english books, the anatomy of melancholy oxford, 1621. Scholarship on robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy. The wordy nature of the book, which started out at over 300, 000 words in 1621 and ended up at over half a million words by the time. Burtons anatomy of melancholy, 1628 the british library. It will be followed by two further volumes of text with textual apparatus, and two volumes of.
The anatomy of melancholy by burton, robert democritus junior seller first folio published 1925 condition spines with some light soil, else quite ffesh and crisp copies, uncut and unopened. He commented on how, in retirement, his interests and reading had broadened. The anatomy of melancholy appeared in five editions during the authors lifetime and has been reprinted countless times since. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. He was also the incumbent of st thomas the martyr, oxford, and of seagrave in leicestershire. The time, however, at length arrived, when the merits of the anatomy of melancholy were to.
Robert burton the anatomy of melancholy digressions on. Philosophically, medicinally, historically, opened and cut up is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621, but republished five more times over the. Today it reads as a curious treatise on depression with a strong satirical vein, but in. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton librarything. Raymond hardy and gayle allan it was at a family gathering in may 2014 that i was chatting with my 82 yearold uncle ray. What it is, with all the kinds, causes, symptoms, prognostics, and several cures. Wong sees the anatomy as a hybrid between a medical manual anchored in. He grew up in ohio and is a former professor of philosophy at washington university. Poole on burton and new college homepage new college.
The conclusion of the author to the reader, which occurs only in the 1621 edition, a list of variant formes in the 1632 edition. Robert burtons the anatomy of melancholy takes a digressive route to diagnosing chronic sadness. The anatomy of melancholy is a book by robert burton, first published in 1621. 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.
With their several sections, members, and subsections, philosophically, medically, historically opened and cut up. In the first part of the treatise, burton defines the inbred malady of melancholy, discusses its causes, and sets down the symptoms. Published in 1621, the anatamomy of melancholy is one of the great classics on the mind and its discontents. The huge and encyclopaedic anatomy of melancholy was produced by the english clergyman robert burton 15771640. Vigetius, quoted in burton, anatomy of melancholy i was given this book five years ago by my best friendcollege roomate for my birthday. Robert burton 8 february 1577 25 january 1640 was an english scholar at oxford university, best known for the classic the anatomy of melancholy. The anatomy of melancholy by robert burton free at loyal. Additional formats may also be available from the main gutenberg site. Robert burton was the son of ralph burton, of an ancient and genteel family at lindley. The anatomy of melancholy quotes showing 119 of 19 thou canst not think worse of me than i do of myself. Full text full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Robert burton was the son of ralph burton, of an ancient and genteel family at lindley, in leicestershire, and was born there on the 8th of february, 1576. Early works to 1800, manicdepressive illness, melancholy, mental. In modern days, at least, the anatomy has been read rather in parts than as a whole, and some misunderstanding has prevailed as to its purpose.