ABSTRACT
It is usual to pay tribute to the scholarly accomplishments of the one remembered. But Fr Leonard, whose many achievements have been noted and celebrated worldwide, does not fit easily into the traditional image of the scholar. Although a large part of Leonard Boyle's contribution to scholarship stemmed from a critical mind, in a certain sense, he was not so much a critic as a guide. He was more interested in directing work into new and more fruitful fields than he was in destructive criticism. Many people over the years have been warmed by Fr Boyle's friendship and enriched by his work as teacher, scholar, and palaeographer, as has been demonstrated by the heartfelt and extensive memorials in so many scholarly journals, which have detailed his achievements and honours. Fr Leonard Boyle, professor of Latin paleography at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto was entrusted with the management of the Vatican Library in May 1984.
