A Noble MadnessA Noble Madness

"Collectors are often praised for their taste in art or contributions to science, and considered great public benefactors. But collectors have also been seen as dangerous obsessives who love objects too much. Why? From looters and idolaters to Freudian psychos, A Noble Madness is a captivating history of obsessive collectors from ancient times to today. From Roman emperors lusting after statues to modern-day hoarders, award-winning author James Delbourgo tells the extraordinary story of fanatical collectors throughout history. He explains how the idea first emerged that when we look at someone's collection, we see a portrait of their soul: complex, intriguing, yet possibly insane. What Delbourgo calls "the Romantic collecting self" has always lurked on the dark side of humanity. But this dark side has a silver lining. Because obsessive collectors are driven by passion, not profit, they have been countercultural heroes in the modern imagination, defying respectability and taste in the name of truth to self."--Jacket flap.