The invention of the book index

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Le Baron
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The invention of the book index

Postby Le Baron » Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:03 pm

Here's an interesting (audio) interview from ABC Australia about the invention of the book index, which like calculus, was independently arrived at by monastery scholars in Britain and Paris. Most notably Robert Grosseteste in Oxford around the beginning of the 13th century. So roughly in line with the first beginnings of the waves of scholarly 'renaissance' that would spring up over the next 500 years.

The name 'Grosseteste' is interesting in that it is in Norman French, rather than Latin*, which indicates Norman French was probably employed in the Abbeys; though Grosseteste was not a monk, but a secular 'associate' scholar. As the podcast reports this name was not because he was a 'big head' as in a show-off, but because he was considered to have a head full of knowledge.

Also that Google has only adopted the index, not invented it. So they should be paying royalties to Gorsseteste's relatives. :lol:

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/pr ... x/13663002

* Most languages have a difference between a literal 'big head' (e.g. grosse tête/l'arrogance) but tend to use the literal one with context. I wondered how this was formulated in Latin and maybe a Latinist here can comment? Is a difference made using: magno capite/magnum caput?

If anyone is interested here's a website with the Latin works of Grosseteste: http://grosseteste.org/grosseteste/index.htm
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Amandine
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Re: The invention of the book index

Postby Amandine » Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:38 pm

This guy was also interviewed on the BBC History Extra podcast a few months ago and it was truly a fascinating topic.
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guyome
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Re: The invention of the book index

Postby guyome » Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:01 pm

Sounds interesting, thanks for posting!
Le Baron wrote:* Most languages have a difference between a literal 'big head' (e.g. grosse tête/l'arrogance) but tend to use the literal one with context. I wondered how this was formulated in Latin and maybe a Latinist here can comment? Is a difference made using: magno capite/magnum caput?
Yes, ablative magno capite or genitive magni capitis could probably be used. Using the French 'Grosseteste' even in Latin texts is another possibility. But my guess is that it would probably be more common to use his title 'Bishop of Lincoln' or just 'of Lincoln'.
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Le Baron
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Re: The invention of the book index

Postby Le Baron » Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:05 pm

guyome wrote:or just 'of Lincoln'.

I wouldn't want folk to think I was getting him mixed up with this fellow :) :

Image
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Re: The invention of the book index

Postby luke » Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:58 pm

Le Baron wrote:
guyome wrote:or just 'of Lincoln'.

I wouldn't want folk to think I was getting him mixed up with this fellow :) :

Or this vehicle:

Image

Back to the topic, it seems the formalization of a book index can be quite useful for at times. Making me think about a possible survey question. :)
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