Sir Thomas Phillipps

Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792–1872) was a British antiquarian and book collector renowned for amassing one of the world’s largest private collections of manuscripts and rare books. His passion was to preserve historical texts, often collecting medieval manuscripts, literary works, and documents. Although he amassed thousands of items, his collection was difficult to organize and sell later, leading to many pieces being dispersed. Phillipps’s dedication significantly influenced the study of historical manuscripts and helped preserve valuable cultural treasures, making him a notable figure in the history of bibliography and archival preservation.