Anselm's speculations did not receive, in the middle ages, the respect and attention justly their due. This was probably due to their unsystematic character, for they are generally tracts or dialogues on detached questions, not elaborate treatises like the great works of Albert, Aquinas, and Erigena. They have, however, a freshness and philosophical vigour, which more than makes up for their want of system, and which raises them far above the level of most scholastic writings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.--The main sources for the history of St Anselm and his times are Eadmer's _Vita Anselmi_ and his _Historia Novorum_, edited by M. Rule in _Rolls Series_ (London, 1884); the best modern work is by Père Ragey, _Histoire de Saint Anselme_ (Paris, 1890), and _Saint Anselme professeur_ (Paris, 1890). Other appreciations are by A. Mohler, _Anselm Erzbischof von Canterbury_ (Regensburg, 1839; Eng. trans. by H. Rymer, London, 1842); F.R. Hasse, _Anselm von Canterbury_ (2 vols., Leipzig, 1842-1853); C. de Rémusat, _S. Anseime de Cantorbéry_ (Paris, 1853, new ed. 1868); R.W. Church, _St Anselm_, first published in _Sunday Library_ (London, 1870; often reprinted); Martin Rule, _Life and Times of St Anselm_ (London, 1883).
_Works_: The best edition of St Anselm's complete works is that of Dom Gerberon (Paris, 1675); reprinted with many notes in 1712; incorporated by J. Migne in his _Patrologia Latina_, tomi clviii.-clix. (Paris. 1853-1854). Migne's reprint contains many errors. The _Cur Deus homo_ may be best studied in the editions published by D. Nutt (London, 1885) and by Griffith (1898). The _Mariale_, or poems in honour of the Blessed Virgin, has been carefully edited by P. Ragey (Tournai, 1885); the _Monologion_ and _Proslogion_, by C.E. Ubaghs (Louvain, 1854; Eng. trans. by S.N. Deane, Chicago, 1903); the _Meditationes_, many of which are wrongly attributed to Anselm, have been frequently reprinted, and were included in Methuen's _Library of Devotion_ (London, 1903).
The best criticism of Anselm's philosophical works is by J.M. Rigg (London, 1896), and Domet de Verges (_Grands Philosophes_ series, Paris, 1901). For a complete bibliography, see A. Vacant's _Dictionnaire de théologie_.