List of Rees's Cyclopædia articles explained
The Cyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature is an important 19th century British encyclopaedia edited by Rev. Abraham Rees (1743–1825), a Presbyterian minister and scholar who had edited previous editions of Chambers's Cyclopædia. Many major scholars of the day contributed. Scientific theorising about the atomic system, geological succession, and earth origins; natural history (botany, entomology, ornithology and zoology); and developments In technology, particularly In textiles manufacture, are all reflected in the Cyclopædia.[1] Serially published from 1802 to 1820, the Cyclopædia was criticised for its idiosyncratic topic selection and alphabetization standards. Hostile reviews in the Anti-Jacobin Review (1802–1805) complained about its supposed anti-religious aspects and radical standpoints attributed to its editor and contributors, and cited lack of article balance, confusing alphabetization, and cross-references to then-unpublished volumes. The British Critic less stridently criticised lack of balance and confusion. The Quarterly Review[2] commented in 1863, "Rees is the most extensive cyclopædia in English with many excellent articles it has generally been condemned as on the whole too diffuse and too commonplace." In 1948 Percy Scholes published his biography The Great Dr Burney, 2 vol., and devoted a chapter to Charles Burney's work for Rees, discussing in some detail the faults of the work, in particular, the way the serial production caused major problems when editors were faced with new knowledge that appeared after the volume containing the appropriate section had been issued.[3] They addressed this partially with an appendix in the last volume.
The Rees Project, was instigated by Professor June Zimmerman Fullmer, who independently indexed the Cyclopædia. After tapping the invisible college[4] [5] of scholars who knew of Rees, she convened a summer 1986 meeting in London, following which she wrote a proposal[6] to the American Foundation for the Humanities for funding to the project, setting out the object of producing a printed concordance to the contents of the Cyclopædia. This was intended to make Rees much more widely accessible to the modern reader. Funding was not forthcoming, and the matter lapsed.
The Cyclopædia lacks a classified index volume. In 1820, Philosophical Magazine analysed the work's contents by half-volume publication dates, as proper priority had not been given to serially published scientific discoveries.[7] The following are notable topics covered by the Cyclopædia (containing over 15 columns).
Notes: In the original Cyclopædia, the letters I and J are treated as identical, as are U and V, following ancient Latin conventions; each pair forms one sequence in the alphabetical order of the articles. Two-year dating of volumes indicates separate publication dates for half-volumes. Contributors' names have been attributed based on the 1820 analysis.[7]
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Volume 1
- A – Amaranthides Vol 1, 1802
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Geography | 23.3 | |
| Miscellaneous | 17.5 | |
| Aerostation | Natural Philosophy | 27.2 | |
| Geography | 26.2 | |
| Chemistry | 26.9 | |
| Geography | 18.3 | |
| Physics | 19.4 | |
| Biography | 23.4 | |
| Algebra | 22.8 | |
| Geography | 23.0 | |
| Geography | 19.5 | |
| Botany | 18.6 | William Wood[8] | |
Volume 2
- Amarantus – Arteriotomy Vol 2, 1802/3
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| History | 30.7 | |
| Architecture | 15.0 | |
| Surgery | 31.2 | |
| Comparative anatomy | 35.0 | |
| Anatomy | 29.0 | |
| Surgery | 18.9 | |
| Annuities | 16.0 | William Morgan |
| Chemistry | 21.0 | |
| Geography | 27.3 | |
| Chemistry | 20.6 | | |
Volume 3
- Artery – Battersea Vol 3, 1803/4
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Geography | 25.1 | |
| Astronomy | 18.3 | |
| Geography | 80.5 | |
| Natural Philosophy | 38.1 | Abraham Rees |
| Banks | Commerce | 24.3 | |
| Meteorology | 68.2 | |
| Sculpture | 15.6 | John Flaxman[9] |
| War | 64.2 | | |
Volume 4
- Battery – Bookbinding Vol 4, 1804/5
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| War | 22.2 | |
| Natural History | 26.3 | |
| Scripture | 78.5 | |
| Ornithology | 125.8 | Edward Donovan |
| Geography | 23.3 | |
| Ecclesiastical History | 21.3 | |
| Technology | 25.4 | Charles Taylor |
| Medicine | 17.3 | |
| Technology | 45.2 | David Mushet |
| Machine | 29.1 | David Mushet |
| Naval & Marine | 23.6 | George Glover; possibly pseudonymous[10] |
| Misc | 25.2 | | |
Volume 5
- Book-keeping – Calvart Vol 5, 1805
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Business | 50.8 | |
| Commerce | 15.8 | |
| Anatomy | 18.9 | |
| Architecture | 23.0 | |
| Mathematics | 24.6 | | |
Volume 6
- Calvary – Castra Vol 6, 1806
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Zoology | 18.6 | |
| War | 18.2 | |
| Botany | 18.7 | |
| Civil Engineering | 289.0 | John Farey, Sr.
- the longest article in the work
|
| Zoology | 32.0 | |
| Artillery - War | 60.4 | |
| Religion | 21.8 | |
| Entomology | 22.0 | Edward Donovan |
| Botany | 19.7 | William Wood |
| Botany | 37.1 | William Wood |
| Chemistry | 18.5 | |
| Artillery - War | 26.6 | James Glenie |
| Ancient history | 36.7 | | |
Volume 7
- Castramentation – Chronology Vol 7, 1806/7
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| War | 18.6 | James Glenie? |
| Surgery | 23.5 | |
| Biography | 28.0 | |
| Agriculture | 38.9 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Philosophy | 15.1 | |
| Mechanics | 49.1 | |
| Botany | 20.5 | William Wood |
| Entomology | 37.2 | Edward Donovan |
| Zoology | 16.0 | |
| Geography | 33.6 | |
| Probabilities | 44.0 | |
| Architecture | 14.8 | |
| Geography | 65.0 | |
| Chronology | 110.0 | | |
Volume 8
- Chronometer – Colliseum Vol 8, 1807
Volume 9
- Collision – Corne Vol 9, 1807/8
Volume 10
- Cornea – Czyrcassy Vol 10, 1808
Volume 11
- D – Dissimilitude Vol 11, 1808
Volume 12
- Dissimulation – Eloane Vol 12, 1809
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Zoology | 26.3 | |
| Theatre | 15.0 | |
| Medicine | 17.6 | |
| Miscellaneous | 18.6 | |
| Physiology | 15.2 | |
| Geography | 16.0 | |
| Ornithology | 21.0 | Edward Donovan |
| Dyeing (history of) | 15.9 | Charles Taylor |
| Physics | 19.4 | Tiberius Cavallo |
| Anatomy | 43.8 | |
| Astronomy | 71.0 | |
| Natural history | 28.4 | |
| Astronomy | 57.9 | |
| Geography | 33.0 | |
| Electricity | 35.9 | |
| Electricity | 16.2 | | |
Volume 13
- Elocution – Extremities Vol 13, 1809
Volume 14
- Extrinsic – Food Vol 14, 1810
Volume 15
- Food – Generation Vol 15, 1810
Volume 16
- Generation – Gretna Green Vol 16, 1810–11
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Generation (Reproduction) | Physiology | 131.5 | |
| Geometry | 26.0 | |
| Georgian planet (Uranus) | Astronomy | 33.3 | |
| Arts | 68.2 | John Landseer |
| Geography | 24.6 | |
| Anatomy | 32.5 | |
| Chemistry | 43.0 | |
| Surgery | 22.9 | |
| Medicine | 24.0 | |
| Astronomy | 34.2 | |
| Ancient geography | 18.4 | |
| Grammar | 59.0 | |
| Agriculture | 20.0 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Rural Economy | 19.4 | Richard Watson Dickson? |
| Natural Philosophy | 29.0 | |
| Agriculture | 25.4 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Language | 22.0 | | |
Volume 17
- Gretry – Hibe Vol 17, 1811
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Entomology | 25.1 | |
| Surgery | 24.3 | |
| Gunnery | Warfare | 19.4 | James Glenie |
| Manufactures | 18.2 | |
| Surgery | 24.0 | |
| Surgery | 26.0 | |
| Anatomy | 87.0 | |
| Natural philosophy | 22.4 | |
| Conchology | 24.8 | Edward Donovan |
| Surgery | 81.6 | |
| Ornithology | 15.0 | Edward Donovan | |
Volume 18
- Hibiscus – Increment Vol 18, 1811
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Geography | 23.0 | |
| History | 16.3 | |
| Agriculture | 17.3 | |
| Menage | 31.0 | |
| Miscellaneous | 27.6 | |
| Sports & Games | 25.6 | Delabere Pritchett Blaine |
| Rural economy | 38.1 | Richard Watson Dickson? |
| Surgery | 22.8 | |
| Medicine | 17.4 | |
| Natural philosophy | 16.0 | |
| Medicine | 17.4 | |
| Mathematics | 45.0 | |
| History | 17.8 | |
| Medicine | 20.9 | Thomas Bateman | |
Volume 19
- Increments – Kilmes Vol 19, 1811
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Analysis | 20.5 | |
| Comparative anatomy | 43.0 | |
| Medicine | 26.0 | |
| Surgery | 23.4 | |
| Entomology | 67.1 | Edward Donovan |
| Insurance | 15.1 | |
| Anatomy | 39.5 | |
| Education | 47.2 | |
| Commerce | 21.3 | |
| Biography | 15.3 | |
| Geography | 31.0 | |
| Technology | 38.8 | David Mushet |
| Mathematics | 18.4 | |
| Arts | 127 | John Landseer |
| Anatomy | 25.5 | | |
Volume 20
- Kiln – Light Vol 20, 1812
Volume 21
- Light-house – Machinery Vol 21, 1812
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Mineralogy | 47.2 | |
| Manufactures | 24.1 | |
| Medicine | 33.7 | |
| Anatomy | 26.0 | |
| Natural History | 20.1 | |
| Mathematics | 53.0 | |
| Geography | 62.9 | |
| Geography | 111.7 | |
| Art | 191.8 | John Landseer |
| Medicine | 54.7 | |
| Anatomy | 48.1 | |
| Medicine | 44.6 | |
| Mechanics | 15.7 | |
| Mechanics | 43.3 | | |
Volume 22
- Machinery – Mattheson Vol 22, 1812
Volume 23
- Matthew – Monsoon Vol 23, 1812/3
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Commerce | 43.6 | |
| Medicine | 43.6 | |
| Anatomy | 35.5 | |
| Astronomy | 26.0 | |
| Chemistry | 21.0 | |
| Navigation | 16.4 | Andrew Mackay |
| Biography | 17.8 | Charles Burney |
| Geography | 31.7 | |
| Miscellaneous | 29.9 | |
| Technology | 16.8 | John Farey, Jr. |
| Technology | 15.0 | John Farey, Jr. |
| Biography | 15.0 | |
| Mineralogy | 16.8 | |
| Technology | 24.8 | John Taylor |
| Commerce | 35.5 | | |
Volume 24
- Monster – Newton-in-the-Willows Vol 24, 1813
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Anatomy | 28.9 | |
| Astronomy | 40.4 | |
| Agriculture | 18.8 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Education | 65.9 | |
| Geography | 21.5 | |
| Law | 16.0 | |
| Mossy Land | Agriculture | 16.1 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Ornithology | 18.7 | |
| Physics | 15.7 | |
| Geography | 22.6 | |
| Entomology | 28.6 | |
| Anatomy | 80.6 | |
| Anatomy | 106.2 | | |
Volume 25
- Newtonian Philosophy – Ozunusze Vol 25, 1813
Volume 26
- P – Perturbation Vol 26, 1813/4
Volume 27
- Pertussis – Poetics Vol 27, 1814
Volume 28
- Poetry – Punjoor Vol 28, 1814
Volume 29
- Punishment – Repton Vol 29, 1814/5
Volume 30
- Republic – Rzemien Vol 30, 1815
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Mechanics | 16.0 | |
| Physiology | 43.6 | |
| Government | 18.4 | |
| Politics | 21.9 | |
| Naval matters | 28.7 | George Glover; possibly pseudonymous |
| Rural Economy | 31.6 | Richard Watson Dickson? |
| Geology | 17.6 | |
| History | 43.3 | |
| Architecture | 24.1 | |
| Arithmetic | 27.9 | |
| Manufactures | 35.4 | George Glover; possibly pseudonymous |
| Botany | 21.9 | James Edward Smith |
| Mechanics | 18.1 | |
| Botany | 17.5 | James Edward Smith |
| Geography | 56.7 | | |
Volume 31
- S – Scotium Vol 31, 1815
Volume 32
- Scotland – Sindy Vol 32, 1815/6
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Geology | 60.8 | |
| Arts | 74.8 | |
| Medicine | 16.8 | |
| Analysis | 32.5 | |
| Biography | 20.5 | |
| Agriculture | 119.2 | Robert Bakewell |
| Naval affairs | 161.3 | George Glover; possibly pseudonymous |
| Botany | 16.1 | James Edward Smith |
| Mining | 18.5 | | |
Volume 33
- Sines – Starboard Vol 33, 1816
Volume 34
- Starch – Szydlow Vol 34, 1816
Volume 35
- T – Toleration Vol 35, 1817
Volume 36
- Tolerium – Vermelho Vol 36, 1817
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Botany | 28.5 | James Edward Smith |
| Triginometry | 27.4 | |
| Surgery | 18.6 | |
| Manufactures | 19.6 | |
| Agriculture | 26.9 | Richard Watson Dickson |
| Naval affairs | 25.0 | |
| Geology | 16.1 | |
| Astronomer | 23.7 | | |
Volume 37
- Vermes – Waterloo Vol 37, 1817/8
Volume 38
- Water – Wzetin Vol 38, 1818
Volume 39
- X – Zytomiers with Addenda and Corrigenda Vol 39, 1818–20
| Article | Classification | Columns | Contributor/Notes |
|---|
| Astronomy | 21.1 | |
| Botany | 17.0 | James Edward Smith |
| Crystallography | 23.0 | |
| Mineralogy | 74.4 | |
| Manufactures | 18.7 | James Thomson |
| Medicine | 20.0 | | |
See also
Notes and References
- http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us/about_the_museum/science_library/~/media/EF<sub>4</sub>C<sub>87</sub>E781D6416E8CC<sub>65</sub>F<sub>252635</sub>C<sub>086</sub>.ashx "The subversive encyclopedia"
- Encyclopædias. Quarterly Review. 1863. 113. 367.
- Book: Scholes, Percy A.. The Great Dr Burney. 1948. 2. 184–201. LVIII: Virtues and vagaries of a septuagenarian encyclopædist.
- The Newcomen Bulletin [of the Newcomen Society of London]. December 1986. 136. 1–2.
- Rees's Cyclopædia. Archives of Natural History. 1987. 112. 10.3366/anh.1987.14.1.103. 14.
- Book: Fullmer, June. Proposal for the creation of "The Readers' Guide to Rees's Cyclopædia". 1987. Self-published in limited-circulation typescript.
- Anonymous. Notices of New Books: The Cyclopædia .... Philosophical Magazine. 1820. 56. 218–24. 1st series. 269. 10.1080/14786442008652396.
- Wood, William (1745-1808). 62. 379–80.
- Book: Bentley, G. E.. A Blake Bibliography. 147. University of Minnesota Press. 1999-01-01. 9781452912103 .
- Web site: George Glover. 4 April 2012.
- Gurman, S. J. . Harratt, S. R. . amp . Revd Dr William Pearson (1767–1847): a Founder of the Royal Astronomical Society . . 35 . 3 . 271–292 . 1994 . 1994QJRAS..35..271G . 16 July 2020.
- The article text cites "the author" as having invented the machine shown in the relevant illustration plates; said plates attribute it to John Duncan, who was a contributor to other articles.
- https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015025939466&view=1up&seq=333 The cyclopædia; or, Universal dictionary of arts, ... v.4 plates. Rees, Abraham, 1743-1825.
