English Cyclopaedia Explained

English Cyclopaedia should not be confused with English Encyclopaedia.

The English Cyclopaedia: A new dictionary of universal knowledge (London, 1854–1862, 4to, 23 vols., 12,117 pages; supplements, 1869–1873, 4 vols., 2858 pages), was published by Charles Knight, based on the Penny Cyclopaedia, of which he had the copyright. He was assisted by Alexander Ramsay and James Thorne.^[1] It was sometimes popularly referred to as Knights Encyclopedia.^[2]

It is in four divisions, each alphabetical, and very unequal:

1. Geography (4 volumes and supplement)
2. Natural history (4 volumes and supplement)
3. Biography (with 703 lives of living persons; 6 volumes and supplement)
4. Arts and sciences (8 volumes and supplement)

A supplement in four volumes, one for each section, was published between 1869 and 1873, together with a synoptical index.^[3] No further editions of the English Cyclopaedia, however, it served as the basis of the Everyman's Encyclopaedia in 1913.^[4]

References

• • Catalogue of the British Library

External links

• Book: English Cyclopaedia . Charles Knight . London . 1854–1862 . (fulltext via Hathi Trust)

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Quarterly review. v.113 (1863). - Full View HathiTrust Digital Library. 2027/njp.32101076533189?urlappend=%3Bseq=372 .
2. Walsh, S. Padraig, 1922- Anglo-American general encyclopedias: a historical bibliography, 1703-1967 New York : Bowker, p. 60
3. Walsh, S. Padraig, 1922- Anglo-American general encyclopedias: a historical bibliography, 1703-1967 New York : Bowker, p. 60
4. Walsh, S. Padraig, 1922- Anglo-American general encyclopedias: a historical bibliography, 1703-1967 New York : Bowker, p. 61