Reginbert of Reichenau

Reginbert of Reichenau (died 846) was a Benedictine monk who was a librarian, scholar and author active at the Abbey of Reichenau, in what is now Germany. Reginbert made significant contributions in building up the important book collection of the monastery. Among his major works is the "Library of Symbols", which was written around AD 820.

Quotes

Good friend, ponder this well: a writer's task is hard;
Take, open, read, harm not; finish, refold, restore!

• For honour of the Lord God and Our Lady dear
  And many holy men by Augia's house revered,
  This book with loving care, attentive to command,
  Was made by Reginbert the scribe; in earnest hope
  That long it should endure, long serve his brethren's need.
  He prays you all, lest vain his labour die,
  In Heaven's most gracious Name to offer it to none
  Outside our walls; save should the seeker pledge his word
  Our property in sound condition to return.
  Good friend, ponder this well: a writer's task is hard;
  Take, open, read, harm not; finish, refold, restore!
  • Lines of admonition inscribed on each manuscript he copied for Reichenau's library, as translated by Eleanor Shipley Duckett, Carolingian Portraits: A Study in the Ninth Century (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1962) ch. 5, pp. 123–124

External links

• Encyclopedic article on Reginbert of Reichenau on Wikipedia