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Count Libri

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Count Libri (1803-1869)
The word “book” translates to “libri” in Italian. It seems apt that one of the most sensational book thieves of all time is Count Guglielmo Bruto Icilio Timoleone Libri-Carruci della Sommaia, shortened to Count Libri. An Italian émigré living in France, Libri’s love of all things literary traced back to his ancient ancestor, the poet Fella della Sommaia. In 1841, as chair of a government committee overseeing the cataloguing of French manuscripts, Libri had unlimited access to French libraries. By hiding books in overcoats and large briefcases he was able to steal rare books and manuscripts from all over the country. Although the French government suspected his deeds for years, Libri was able to escape prosecution by taking advantage of political instability and spiriting away to England with nearly eighteen crates of literary loot.

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The word “book” translates to “libri” in Italian. It seems apt that one of the most sensational book thieves of all time is Count Guglielmo Bruto Icilio Timoleone Libri-Carruci della Sommaia, shortened to Count Libri. An Italian émigré living in France, Libri’s love of all things literary traced back to his ancient ancestor, the poet Fella della Sommaia. In 1841, as chair of a government committee overseeing the cataloguing of French manuscripts, Libri had unlimited access to French libraries. By hiding books in overcoats and large briefcases he was able to steal rare books and manuscripts from all over the country. Although the French government suspected his deeds for years, Libri was able to escape prosecution by taking advantage of political instability and spiriting away to England with nearly eighteen crates of literary loot.

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“Count Libri,” Creighton University Libraries: Archives & Special Collections, accessed January 16, 2025, https://creightonarchives.omeka.net/items/show/200.

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