The Philobiblon is a collection of essays concerning the acquisition, preservation, and organization of books written by the mediaeval bibliophile Richard de Bury shortly before his death in 1345. Written in Latin, as was the custom of the day, it is separated into twenty chapters, each covering a different topic relating to book collecting. Contents: 1. That the Treasure of Wisdom is chiefly contained in Books 2. The degree of Affection that is properly due to Book 3. What we are to think of the price in the buying of books 4. The Complaint of Books against the Clergy already promoted 5. The Complaint of Books against the Possessioners 6. The Complaint of Books against the Mendicants 7. The Complaint of Books against Wars 8. Of the numerous Opportunities we have had of collecting a store of books 9. How although we preferred the Works of the Ancients we have not condemned the Studies of the Moderns 10. Of the Gradual Perfecting of Books 11. Why we have preferred Books of Liberal Learning to Books of Law 12. Why we have caused Books of Grammar to be so diligently prepared 13. Why we have not wholly neglected the Fables of the Poets 14. Who ought to be special Lovers of Books 15. Of the advantages of the love of Books 16. That it is meritorious to write new Books and to renew the old 17. Of showing due Propriety in the Custody of Books 18. Showeth that we have collected so great Store of Books for the common Benefit of Scholars and not only for our own Pleasure 19. Of the Manner of lending all our Books to Students 20. An Exhortation to Scholars to requite us by pious Prayers