Johannes Trithemius. Catalogus scriptorum ecclesiasticorum sive illustrium virorum (Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Authors and Famous People).
Cologne: Peter Quentell, 1531.

4to. [8] + clxxxiiii leaves. 201 x 155 mm. Modern parchment binding.

Trithemius’ great bibliography, more commonly known as the De scriptoribus ecclesiasticis (On Ecclesiastical Authors) was first printed in 1494 and proved to be one of his most popular works. Based on Saint Jerome’s well-known De viribus illustribus (On Famous Men), Trithemius’ work moves beyond Jerome’s own cautious approach to Classical literature in its enthusiastic recommendation of Hellenistic philosophy, Latin poetry, and rhetoric as essential companions to the study of Christian theology. He even remarked to one correspondent, “No one can be called adequately learned in the Holy Scriptures if ignorant in the study of secular literature."

Saint John’s Rare Book Collection. Acquired June 2000.