Jean Grolier de Servières facts for kids

A Grolier binding, in his earlier style

A painting of Grolier (sitting) with Aldus Manutius, a famous printer

A book cover showing Grolier's special mark: Io. Grolieri et Amicorum

Jean Grolier de Servières (born around 1489/90 – died 1565) was a very important person in France. He was the Treasurer-General, which means he managed the country's money. But he is most famous for his amazing hobby: collecting books! Grolier loved books, especially those with beautiful, fancy covers. He also supported a famous printing company called the Aldine Press.

Jean Grolier: A Famous Book Collector

His Early Life and Career

Jean Grolier was born in Lyon, France, around 1489 or 1490. His family came from Verona, Italy. His father, Étienne Grolier, was a rich merchant and also worked for the government as a tax collector. Jean was their only son.

In 1509, when Jean was about 19 or 20, his father passed away. Jean then took over his father's job as Treasurer-General of Milan. At that time, Milan was controlled by the French.

In 1508, Jean Grolier worked as a "secretary to the king." This meant he was a junior helper to King Louis XII. He continued his studies with a smart teacher named Gaspar Argilensis.

Working in Italy

Grolier worked in Milan as treasurer from 1509 until 1512, when the French had to leave. He returned with the French army in 1515 and stayed until 1521. During his second time in Milan, he met Aldus Manutius, a famous printer from Venice. Many books were dedicated to Grolier, and he even exchanged letters with famous thinkers like Erasmus.

Later, Grolier worked for the French king in Italy. From 1522 to 1531, he was the Treasurer of War. In 1537, he became one of the four main Treasurers-General of France.

Jean Grolier married Anne Briçonnet, and they had at least two daughters. He passed away in Paris in 1565 and was buried in a famous church called the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Grolier's Amazing Book Collection

What Made His Books Special?

Grolier was a true bibliophile, someone who loves and collects books. His books had a special message written inside: Io. Grolieri et Amicorum. This is Latin for "the property of Jean Grolier and his friends." This shows he liked to share his books.

Many of Grolier's books were given away or sold over time. But even in 1620, people said that the best libraries in France had books that once belonged to Grolier. Today, about 500 of his books can still be found. They are very valuable because they were part of his famous collection. You can see some of them in big libraries like the British Library and the National Library in Paris.

Grolier especially loved old Latin books. He even had his books bound in different colored leather based on what they were about!

The Art of Grolier Bindings

Grolier was very interested in how his books were covered, which is called bookbinding. He was one of the first collectors to have special "plaquette bindings" made for his own library. These bindings had large medal-like designs in the middle. He started doing this around 1510.

Most of his books were bound in France, but the designs often looked Italian. The special style of bookbinding with geometric patterns is even named after him: Grolier bindings. These bindings were mostly made in Paris between 1520 and 1555. They started with simple geometric patterns and later became more detailed with curvy lines and fancy designs.

Grolier worked with several different bookbinders. Some of them are known by name, like Geoffroy Tory, a printer and bookbinder, and Jean Picard, who also worked for the Aldine Press.

The Grolier Club in New York City, a famous club for book lovers, was named after Jean Grolier.

Gallery of bindings made for Grolier

See also

• Nicolas Grollier de Servière (1596–1689), Jean Grolier's cousin, who was a French inventor.