The 'opus Majus' of Roger Bacon

The Opus Majus, or Greater Work, was originally composed by the Franciscan friar and philosopher Roger Bacon in 1267. Commissioned by Pope Clement IV, the work served as a comprehensive synthesis of medieval knowledge, intending to persuade the Church of the necessity of incorporating mathematics, experimental science, and optics into the academic curriculum. Bacon designed the text as a foundational manual for universal learning, arguing that empirical observation was essential to theology and natural philosophy.

The 2018 edition published by Franklin Classics Trade Press represents a modern, facsimile-style reproduction of this historical masterpiece. By reissuing this foundational text, the publisher aims to preserve the intellectual legacy of Bacon's ambitious project for contemporary scholars and students. While the original manuscript reflects the limitations and theological pressures of the 13th century, this printing makes his pioneering vision of structured scientific inquiry accessible to a modern audience, emphasizing his role as an early precursor to the scientific method.