Robert Burton (8 February 1577 – 25 January 1640) was an English author and fellow of Oxford University, renowned for his encyclopedic work The Anatomy of Melancholy.

Born into a well-off family, Burton attended two grammar schools before matriculating at Brasenose College, Oxford in 1593. His education at Oxford was extensive, possibly extended by his own struggles with melancholy, leading to a transfer to Christ Church. By 1605, he had obtained his MA and later qualified as a tutor.

Burton was actively involved in literary activities, creating Latin poems and plays, including his surviving play, Philosophaster. Despite attempts to leave Oxford, he held various positions within the university, such as the living of St Thomas the Martyr's Church, and served as librarian of Christ Church Library from 1624 until his death.

The Anatomy of Melancholy, first published in 1621, is Burton's magnum opus. The work, digressive and labyrinthine, aimed to alleviate his own melancholy and assist others. It was reprinted with additions multiple times and is filled with quotations from classical and contemporary authorities, showcasing a lifetime of erudition.

Burton died in 1640, leaving behind a significant personal library. His work, especially The Anatomy, influenced many authors and saw revived interest in the 19th century, attracting readers like Samuel Johnson and John Keats.