Richard of St. Victor
Encyclopedia
Richard of Saint Victor is known today as one of the most influential religious thinkers of his time. He was a prominent mystical theologian, and was prior
of the famous Augustinian Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris
from 1162 until his death in 1173.
probably during the first twenty-five years of the twelfth century. Like many before him, Richard travelled to Paris
in search of a good education and became a canon of the Augustinian abbey of Saint Victor on account of its reputation for piety and learning. It is likely that he came to Saint Victor at a very young age. Here he studied under the theologian Hugo of Saint Victor, the most influential of all Victorine teachers. However, it has been debated that Richard entered the abbey after Hugh’s death in 1141 or slightly before. Richard’s chief biographer, Jean de Toulouse, writes that when Richard died in 1173 he was still young and so it therefore must be assumed that he entered the Order well into its second period of development, near the end of Hugh’s life. Nevertheless, over time, Richard adopted and developed many of Hugh's ideas and principles. A document found at the abbey states that Richard became subprior in 1159. At this time, under the abbot Gilduin, Saint Victor was a thriving community and upon Gilduin’s death, the abbey had 44 dependant houses of canons. In 1162 Richard became prior of the abbey and remained in this position until his death in 1173. He served as prior under Achard of St. Victor
’s elected successor Ernisius, who was unworthy of the position. Richard’s life was then burdened by the frustrations of working under a man who was ill-suited for his responsibilities. Ernisius wasted the abbeys resources on overly-ambitious building projects and persecuted those who attempted to resist him. Richard was allowed to keep his office but his influence was restricted. Things became so unbearable that an appeal was made to the Pope
, who then visited Saint Victor in 1162. Through a multitude of transactions, Ernisius was eventually removed from his position and the Pope commended Richard for his continued involvement in the matter. Letters from England written to Richard show that he was in constant touch with English affairs and give evidence of the international character of intellectual life at this time. Richard died on March 10, 1173.
, Bede
, Pope Gregory I
and Hugh. He later became more independent and strayed from Hugh’s influence. There is some debate between historians about which of Richard’s texts are the most influential and important. Because Richard’s work covers many spheres of thought it is somewhat difficult to categorize his work.
The Benjamin Major completes this with the study of the mind in relation to prayer. However, in the last chapters of Benjamin Major, written later than the Minor, Richard almost abandons his topic and the discussion of the teaching of mystical theology takes up a good portion of every remaining chapter. He is still attempting to instruct his followers on a text but he has also engaged himself in creating a system of mystical theology.
One of Richard’s greatest works was the De Trinitate which was probably written close to the end of his life. This is known because it incorporates pieces of theological text which editors are now finding in earlier works. De Trinitate is Richards most independent and original study on dogmatic theology.
Richard of Saint Victor’s Commentary on Ezekiel is of special interest in the field of art history because they explanations laid out by the author are accompanied by illustrations. A number of copies have come down to us, none of which are dated, but they are written in a style attributable to the second half of the twelfth century.
and Augustine, and solves them with the humanist principles of the twelfth century. Richard attempted to learn the way in which the human mind works and it became an all-consuming occupation. This led to his conception of contemplation and his perception of the unexplored field of the supernatural in prayer. Richard always wanted to know how the mind reacts to a given situation and how best good can be increased and evil avoided. Although he was greatly influenced by the beliefs and principles of his predecessors, he looked at Scripture and theological works from a different perspective, especially later in his life. As a result of this, Richard produced theological and philosophical works as well as interpretation of scriptural texts from a psychological point-of-view.
Prior
Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St...
of the famous Augustinian Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
from 1162 until his death in 1173.
Life
Very little is known about the origins and upbringing of Richard of Saint Victor. He was born in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
probably during the first twenty-five years of the twelfth century. Like many before him, Richard travelled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in search of a good education and became a canon of the Augustinian abbey of Saint Victor on account of its reputation for piety and learning. It is likely that he came to Saint Victor at a very young age. Here he studied under the theologian Hugo of Saint Victor, the most influential of all Victorine teachers. However, it has been debated that Richard entered the abbey after Hugh’s death in 1141 or slightly before. Richard’s chief biographer, Jean de Toulouse, writes that when Richard died in 1173 he was still young and so it therefore must be assumed that he entered the Order well into its second period of development, near the end of Hugh’s life. Nevertheless, over time, Richard adopted and developed many of Hugh's ideas and principles. A document found at the abbey states that Richard became subprior in 1159. At this time, under the abbot Gilduin, Saint Victor was a thriving community and upon Gilduin’s death, the abbey had 44 dependant houses of canons. In 1162 Richard became prior of the abbey and remained in this position until his death in 1173. He served as prior under Achard of St. Victor
Achard of St. Victor
Achard of St. Victor was a canon regular, abbot of St. Victor's, Paris, and bishop of Avranches.By some authorities he is said to have been of English extraction, by others to be of the noble Norman family of de Pertins, of Domfront. He completed his studies at the School of St. Victor, and...
’s elected successor Ernisius, who was unworthy of the position. Richard’s life was then burdened by the frustrations of working under a man who was ill-suited for his responsibilities. Ernisius wasted the abbeys resources on overly-ambitious building projects and persecuted those who attempted to resist him. Richard was allowed to keep his office but his influence was restricted. Things became so unbearable that an appeal was made to the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, who then visited Saint Victor in 1162. Through a multitude of transactions, Ernisius was eventually removed from his position and the Pope commended Richard for his continued involvement in the matter. Letters from England written to Richard show that he was in constant touch with English affairs and give evidence of the international character of intellectual life at this time. Richard died on March 10, 1173.
Writings
There are some problems with establishing the chronology of Richard’s works. The earliest ones come before 1153, and the latest were written one or two years before his death. His earlier works are similar to the general teaching and writing of the period. His writing develops from basic exegesis, theology and philosophy to more of a study of purely spiritual questions. In his early writings he relies on the moral interpretations of previous theologians such as Augustine of HippoAugustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
, Bede
Bede
Bede , also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede , was a monk at the Northumbrian monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth, today part of Sunderland, England, and of its companion monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow , both in the Kingdom of Northumbria...
, Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
and Hugh. He later became more independent and strayed from Hugh’s influence. There is some debate between historians about which of Richard’s texts are the most influential and important. Because Richard’s work covers many spheres of thought it is somewhat difficult to categorize his work.
Benjamin Minor and Benjamin Major
Benjamin Minor (originally titled Book of the Twelve Patriarchs) and Benjamin Major are Richard of Saint Victor's great works on contemplation. It is not exactly known when these treatise were written, but both works would seem to date before 1162. Richard specifies that Benjamin Minor is not a treatise on contemplation but rather prepares the mind for contemplation. He uses the story of Jacob and his clan to create a treatise on the psychology of vices and virtues. He uses the different elements of the tale to bring to light the relationship between the mind and the body, the senses and reason. By doing this he wishes to establish within the younger members of his community a scheme to discern right and wrong actions through the powers of the mind. It is almost as though Richard is teaching the basic principles of psychology combined with spiritual doctrine. The whole purpose of this text is to prepare his students for contemplation and for a union with God. Each chapter starts with a text which serves the idea of the writer and other texts are introduced to confirm his points.The Benjamin Major completes this with the study of the mind in relation to prayer. However, in the last chapters of Benjamin Major, written later than the Minor, Richard almost abandons his topic and the discussion of the teaching of mystical theology takes up a good portion of every remaining chapter. He is still attempting to instruct his followers on a text but he has also engaged himself in creating a system of mystical theology.
Other Treatises and Works
Richard’s other treatises are a number of short works which mainly deal with textual difficulties and theological issues. Many of them can be grouped together with larger works. Some of them are correspondence between Richard and his students while others seem to have been written at the request of friends. Although short, they are often interesting because they allow the modern reader to see the mentality of the students and the discussions and issues of the time.One of Richard’s greatest works was the De Trinitate which was probably written close to the end of his life. This is known because it incorporates pieces of theological text which editors are now finding in earlier works. De Trinitate is Richards most independent and original study on dogmatic theology.
Richard of Saint Victor’s Commentary on Ezekiel is of special interest in the field of art history because they explanations laid out by the author are accompanied by illustrations. A number of copies have come down to us, none of which are dated, but they are written in a style attributable to the second half of the twelfth century.
Historiographical contributions
What makes Richard of Saint-Victor stand out from other theologians of his time is that he approaches theological problems as more of a psychologist. He takes the theological problems he discovers in works by writers such as DenisDenis
Saint Denis is a Christian martyr and saint. In the third century, he was Bishop of Paris. He was martyred in connection with the Decian persecution of Christians, shortly after A.D. 250...
and Augustine, and solves them with the humanist principles of the twelfth century. Richard attempted to learn the way in which the human mind works and it became an all-consuming occupation. This led to his conception of contemplation and his perception of the unexplored field of the supernatural in prayer. Richard always wanted to know how the mind reacts to a given situation and how best good can be increased and evil avoided. Although he was greatly influenced by the beliefs and principles of his predecessors, he looked at Scripture and theological works from a different perspective, especially later in his life. As a result of this, Richard produced theological and philosophical works as well as interpretation of scriptural texts from a psychological point-of-view.