Grolier, Jean (1479–1565)

French bibliophile and connoisseur of bookbindings. His earlier bindings have simple geometrical designs of interlacing ribbons and solid tools, but later the interlacings grow more complex, are sometimes coloured, and the small tools are hatched. Although the greater part of the collection was dispersed in 1676, over 550 bindings survive, and are very highly valued by collectors.

Born at Lyons, France, Grolier succeeded his father as treasurer general of the Duchy of Milan, where he spent much of his time 1508–21. While in Italy he started collecting books and after his return to Paris he began, from about 1530 onwards, to have his collection bound to his own specifications by leading Paris bookbinders.