A translation was published by Mr. Rodd, in 1832, of which the following is the title:—
"Philobiblon: a Treatise on the Love of Books, by Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham, written in MCCCXLIV; and translated from the first Edition, MCCCCLXXIII, with some Collations. London: Printed for Thomas Rodd, 2 Great Newport Street, Leicester Square, 1832."
This translation is a small 8vo. volume, of which there is a copy in the Douce collection in the Bodleian; at the beginning of which copy, on a fly-leaf, the words, "J.B. Inglis to his friend F. Douce, Esq.," are written; and opposite, on the inside of the cover, there is written in pencil, apparently in Douce's own hand, "I had read the MS. of this work before it was printed."
There appears to have existed some difference of opinion with respect to the authorship of the Philobiblon. Leland, in his Itinerary, ed. 8vo. Oxford 1744, vol. iii. pp. 77, 78, sub loc. Saresbyri, says,—
"Ex tabella in Sacello S. Mariæ. Orate pro anima Ricbardi Poure, quondam Sarum Episcopi." ...
"Qui quidem Richardus Episcopus postea translatus fuit ad Episcopatum Dunelmensem ... Incipit Prologus in Philobiblon Richardi Dunelmensis Episcopi, quem librum compilavit Robertus Holcot de Ord. Prædicatorum sub nomine dicti Episcopi."
Still, however, in the appendix to vol. iv. of the Itinerary, p. 164., it is said:—
"Richardus de Bury, alias Angravyle dictus, episc. Dunelm., scripsit Philobiblon."
Upon Leland's authority, the Bodleian catalogue ascribes the work in question to Robertus Holcot. Watt, however (Bibl. Brit.), seems to imagine R. de Bury and Holcot to be the same person. His words are (vol. i. c. 176 ):—"Bury, Richard. Dunelm., alias Robertus Holcot, Bishop of Durham, and Chancellor and Treasurer of England, in the reign of Edward III.;" and again, under Holcot's name, "Holcot, Robert, or Richard D. Bury."
The translator (J.B. Inglis) distinguishes in his Preface between these contemporary writers, and considers R. de Bury to be the undoubted author of this work passing under his name. In corroboration of his opinion, Mr. Inglis refers to the Biographical and Retrospective Miscellany; and, in order to prove that the work was finished in the author's lifetime, he produces the words:
"Quod opus (Philobiblon) Aucklandiæ in habitatione sua complevit, 24 die Januarii, anno a communis salutis origine 1344, ætatis suæ 58, et 11 suæ pontificatus."