Opus majus

work by Bacon

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July 1, 2026

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The Opus majus was a significant work by Roger Bacon, an English Franciscan philosopher and proponent of experimental science. Written around 1266, it was an attempt to persuade Pope Clement IV of the importance and utility of Bacon's proposed reforms for the sciences.1

Bacon, who studied mathematics, astronomy, optics, alchemy, and languages, was a major medieval advocate for empirical scientific methods. The Opus majus was part of a larger, projected encyclopedia of all known sciences, which Bacon aimed to organize and administer through a papal institute. However, the death of Pope Clement IV in 1268 ended Bacon's aspirations for integrating his scientific reforms into university curricula. The term "magnum opus" itself refers to a great work, especially the greatest achievement of an artist or writer.12

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Roger Bacon
Career as a friar
…short time had dispatched the Opus majus (“Great Work”), the Opus minus (“Lesser Work”), and the Opus tertium (“Third Work”). He had to do this secretly and notwithstanding any command of his superiors to the contrary; and even when the irregularity of his conduct attracted their attention and the terrible…
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…short time had dispatched the Opus majus (“Great Work”), the Opus minus (“Lesser Work”), and the Opus tertium (“Third Work”). He had to do this secretly and notwithstanding any command of his superiors to the contrary; and even when the irregularity of his conduct attracted their attention and the terrible…
Read More