One of the great mystics of the Christian Tradition, Richard is the link between the early tradition of Pseudo-Dionysius and the great mystical awakening in Medieval Europe. For his genius in bringing together both the Latin and Greek Traditions all contemplatives owe him a great debt. Born in twelfth century Scotland, he joined the Abbey of St.-Victor in Paris where he became Subprior and Prior.
The Twelve Patriarchs (or Benjamin Minor) is his "preparation of the soul for contemplation." The framework is a scriptural allegory based on the story of Jacob, his two wives, their handmaids, and the 12 sons and one daughter of Jacob and the four women. Richard uses the meaning of the names and the elements of the story to illustrate a unified view of the person and the relationship between contemplation and action. His Mystical Ark (or Benjamin Major) completes this study with a symbolic interpretation of the structure and materials of the Ark of the Covenant and the two Cherubim, as described in the book of Exodus. In his Book Three of the Trinity we see Richards' distinctive presentation of the necessity for and the nature of a Trinity in understanding God and God's relationship to humans. Richard provides discerning insights about the discipline, the dangers and the culmination of the mystical quest. His writings illustrate the relevance of symbols and symbolic structures as modes of communication.