Sir Thomas Browne S Religio Medici

Religio Medici, the timeless book of contemplation by Sir Thomas Browne, is presented here unaltered and complete. Written by Browne during the 1640s as a means of profiling his own psyche while composing a personal spiritual testament to the divine, Religio Medici, or Religion of a Doctor, was received with great acclaim both in England and in continental Europe at the time of its publication. The text is principally structured around three key virtues: the first part is occupied with the attributes of Faith and Hope; while the second part is concerned with Charity. Throughout, Browne maintains his own recognisable style and tone, writing with frankness, clarity and conviction in a manner befitting an avowed Christian. For its profundity and explanatory wisdom, scholars of the 17th century offered Religio Medici much praise, and Browne became famous. The book also enjoyed a revival during the 19th century, wherein the characterful idiosyncrasies of Browne were appreciated by the artists and intellectuals of that era. Today, the text remains a favourite of Christians and scholars for its accessibility and merits of tone.

This carefully crafted book contains the most influential works of Sir Thomas Browne, including a spiritual testament and an early psychological self-portrait, "Religio Medici" and a work about the discovery of a Roman urn burial in Norfolk, Hydriotaphia. Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682) was an English polymath and author of varied works which reveal his wide learning in diverse fields including science and medicine, religion and the esoteric. Browne's writings display a deep curiosity towards the natural world, influenced by the scientific revolution of Baconian enquiry.

The Religion of a Doctor: Religio Medici by Sir Thomas Browne. Religio Medici (The Religion of a Doctor) by Sir Thomas Browne is a spiritual testament and an early psychological self-portrait. Published in 1643 after an unauthorized version was distributed the previous year, it became a European best-seller which brought its author fame at home and abroad. For my religion, though there be several circumstances that might persuade the world I have none at all - as the general scandal of my profession,1 - the natural course of my studies - the indifferency of my behaviour and discourse in matters of religion (neither violently defending one, nor with that common ardour and contention opposing another) - yet, in despite hereof, I dare without usurpation assume the honourable style of a Christian. Not that I merely owe this title to the font, my education, or the clime wherein I was born, as being bred up either to confirm those principles my parents instilled into my understanding, or by a general consent proceed in the religion of my country; but having, in my riper years and confirmed judgment, seen and examined all, I find myself obliged, by the principles of grace, and the law of mine own reason, to embrace no other name but this. Neither doth herein my zeal so far make me forget the general charity I owe unto humanity, as rather to hate than pity Turks, Infidels, and (what is worse) Jews; rather contenting myself to enjoy that happy style, than maligning those who refuse so glorious a title.

This study looks anew at one of the most popular books of the seventeenth century, Sir Thomas Brown's Religio Medici. Daniela Havenstein considers neglected seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century responses to this central work. Browne's style is reassessed in a fresh approach that combines traditional analysis with carefully developed quantitative methods.