Albertus Magnus: De homine manuscript, late 13th century

The manuscript contains Albert's De homine. Originally treated as the second part of the manuscript of De Rerum Origine (one of Albert's best known works of theology, Summa de Creaturis), this manuscript is now viewed as a separate work.

Inscriptions and bookplates: In frontispiece in 20th century hand: 'Summa de Creaturis, part ii (De Homine), by Albertus Magnus, Bishop of Regensburg d.1280. Printed in Alberte Magni Opera Omnia, ed. S.C.A. Borgnet, Paris, 1890-1899, vol. xxxv. Probably written in France (a medieval press-monk 'N[umero] XIII' is on the first page). Late XIII cent. Stamped binding (? Italian, 16th cent.).'

Also in frontispiece: book plate of Arthur Coombe; book plate of John Peachey Esq [19th century]; printed label for 'Westdean Library', with ink annotation 1813, also inscribed in ink '1808' beneath; pencil inscription '7/-'; book plate of L.J. Lloyd, post 1972; pencil inscription L J Lloyd, 20th century.

On final parchment page reverse: ink inscription 'John Peachey Westdean, 1775'.

On end paper: pencil inscription [same hand as L J Lloyd, 20th century]: '112 leaves, gatherings: 10, 12, 12, 12, 10, 12, 12, 12, '].

Collation:
Size of folio: 345x230mm [size of bound item: 350x255mm]
Size of written block [both columns]: 235x155mm
Size of written block [one column]: 230x70mm

Nine gatherings

Incipit (f.1r): 'Consequentur transendum est ad quaerendum'
Explicit (f.112v): 'Et hec de creaturis dicta sufficiant.'

Two columns per page. Parchment/membrane. Ruled with plomb.

Possible Italian binding [metal clasps/fixings have been removed].

Biographical information taken from Simon Tugwell OP, Albert and Thomas, New York: Classics of Western Spirituality, 1988.

St. Albert the Great (d 1280), German scientist, philosopher and theologian, joined the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) while he was a student in Padua, probably in 1229. After completing his studies and teaching in various Dominican houses in Germany, he was sent to the university of Paris, where he graduated as Master of Theology in 1245. In 1248 he was appointed to take charge of the new international study-house which the Order was opening in Cologne. St. Thomas Aquinas was among his students. He was provincial of the German Dominicans from 1254-1257 and bishop of Tatisbon from 1260-1262. By 1268 he had resumed his teaching, and was still teaching in 1277. He was reputed to be one of the wonders of the age because of his expertise in every branch of learning. He was beatified by Gregory XV in 1622, canonized and declared a doctor of the church by Pius XII in 1933, and proclaimed patron of natural scientists by Pius XII in 1941.

Usual EUL arrangements apply.

Biographical information taken from Simon Tugwell OP, Albert and Thomas, New York: Classics of Western Spirituality, 1988.

Single item only.

Description compiled by Charlotte Berry, Archivist, 22 APril 2005, and encoded into EAD 2 June 2005.

Usual EUL restrictions apply.

Donated to the University as part of the Lloyd print collection given by the widow of L. John Lloyd, University Librarian 1946-1972, MA, FSA, FRSL. The volume has also been previously in the possession of Arthur Coombe and John Peachey Esq. (forming part of the Westdean Library). It is probable that this item once formed part of a university theological library.

Thirty-six manuscript versions of De homine are cited by W. Fauser, Codices manuscripti operum Alberti Magni, I Opera genuina, Muenster, 1982, pp.261-268, 478.

One manuscript is held by Magdalen College, University of Oxford (Magdalen College 174) and another at Merton College, University of Oxford (Merton College O.1.7).

Printed in Alberti Magni Opera Omnia, (ed.) S.C.A. Borgnet, Paris, 1890-1899, vol. xxxv.