Bartholomeus Anglicus was a reputable scholar, theologian and a member of the Franciscan order. He was born in England but spent most of his life in Paris and Saxony as a teacher and minister. He is famous for compiling one of the world’s first encyclopedias “On the Properties of Things” (De proprietatibus rerum), which provided scholars of the 13th century an important source for extending their knowledge on various subjects.
Background
Not much is known about the Bartholomeus’ background except that he came from England, as his name suggests. It is believed that he was born in Suffolk, while his date of birth is estimated to have been around 1200, and not later than 1203.
Education
Bartholomeus’ education is in the domain of speculation. It is believed that he had started his studies at Oxford University, where he studied theology and natural sciences under the tutorship of Robert Grosseteste.
Career
One of the things surely known about Bartholomeus’ life is that he joined the Franciscan order in 1224 or 1225, together with Haymo of Faversham, a fellow professor. This movement originated within Catholic Church and consisted of the followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He continued teaching at the University of Paris until 1231 when he moved to Magdeburg in Saxony. Considering he liked Paris, we can assume that Bartholomeus didn’t want to move but accepted the transfer after he was asked by John Parenti, the minister general, who believed that he was the right person for educating people of Saxony, which was a new Franciscan province at the time.
Bartholomeus realized that educational opportunities were very limited in the 13th century and that even people who wanted to learn didn’t have adequate literature. This is why he set the goal to organize and present all the scientific knowledge gathered until then in a cataloged manner. The result was his greatest work - De proprietatibus rerum (Liber de proprietatibus rerum), the first important encyclopedia of medieval times, believed to had been finished around 1240.
Much more is known about this great piece of work than about the author. Barholomeus organized De proprietatibus rerum in 19 books, gathering and presenting the knowledge in geography, mineralogy, philosophy, chronology, astronomy, theology, medicine, botany and zoology. He made sure to include all the sources known to him, whether they were works of Greek, Arabian or Jewish authors, as well as to cite them properly. Among the authors he cited are Aristotle, Hippocrates, Isaac Medicus, Haly and many others.
The original intention of the book was to serve to him and his students in Saxony, although it was available to the general public. The book achieved great popularity and was soon distributed all over Europe, allowing scholars from the entire continent to extend their knowledge on various subjects. In the 14th century, his original work written in Latin was translated into English and French.
As for the author, in 1247 he was chosen to be the Minister of Austria, and in 1255 the Minister of Bohemia. When he managed to mediate a dispute between the Cathedral Chapter at Krakow and Duke Boleslaw and resolve it, he was appointed as Papal legate and the Bishop of Lukow by Pope Alexander IV. However, he had to evade from Poland because of the Mongol invasion and return to Saxony, where he became the Minister in 1262. He held this position until his death, which is believed to be in 1272, although it cannot be claimed.
His connection to religion was very strong throughout his life. After he joined the Franciscan order, he was sent to Saxony to teach the people that belonged to the order there, and he later became the Minister of Austia, Bohemia and Saxony.
Membership
It is believed that Bartholomeus had joined the Franciscan order either in 1224 or in 1225, and remained its member until his death.
Personality
Bartholomeus' character remains something to be speculated about. Considering that he organized a large amount of different sources into 19 encyclopedia books, we can presume that he was patient and diligent, as well as very dedicated to his work.
Physical Characteristics:
One of the things that can be speculated from the rare pictures that are believed to represent Bartholomeus is that he was a man of average height who had a long beard.
Interests
Reading
Philosophers & Thinkers
Aristotle, Al-Ghazali, Plato
Politicians
Pope Alexander IV
Writers
Remigius of Auxerre, Pliny, Petrus Comestor
Artists
Lucan
Connections
There is no reliable data about Bartholomeus' family and whether he married or not.