The Book-Hunter
A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author
The Book-Hunter, first published in 1862, is John Hill Burton's genial study of the collector of books as a human type. He classifies the species, the prowler, the auction-haunter, the gleaner, the man who reads and the man who merely accumulates, recalls famous collectors and their follies, and then argues that bibliomania has its uses: the hoards of private collectors have preserved literature and built the great libraries. A third part describes the book clubs, the Roxburghe, the Bannatyne and their kin, that printed rare texts for members. This edition of 1882 adds a memoir of the author by his widow. Burton was a Scottish historian by profession and a book-hunter by habit, and he writes with self-knowledge. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Book-Hunter
The Book-Hunter by John Hill Burton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Book-Hunter online?
Yes. The Book-Hunter opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Book-Hunter free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Book-Hunter is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Book-Hunter in the public domain?
Yes. The Book-Hunter by John Hill Burton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Book-Hunter?
About 8 h 51 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Book-Hunter?
The Book-Hunter by John Hill Burton is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
