Encyclopædia Britannica (company)

Quick Facts: Who was Encyclopædia Britannica (company)?

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Encyclopædia Britannica (company)

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The world's oldest continuously published encyclopedia, evolving from print to digital authority.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. is the company known for publishing the Encyclopædia Britannica, the world’s oldest continuously published encyclopaedia. Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, and historically British, the company has been American-owned since 1901 and is now based in Chicago, Illinois. The company also owns the American dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster. The company was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the 18th century, during the historical period termed the Scottish Enlightenment. Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell began the first edition in 1768.

Career & Major Achievements

The pair engaged William Smellie, who compiled most of the articles in the first edition. The second edition was published in 1784. After Macfarquhar's death in 1793, Bell became its sole proprietor and published the third and fourth editions. Archibald Constable, an Edinburgh publisher, published the fifth and sixth editions. When Constable died in 1827, A & C Black Ltd. bought the copyrights to the encyclopaedia at auction, and they published it for the next 70 years.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Beginning with the ninth edition in 1875, the range of topics were expanded by bringing in contributors from the literary field, social sciences and the scientific community. The ninth edition has since been acknowledged as one of the most impressive collections of scholarship ever produced. In 1901, Americans Horace E. Hooper and Walter M. Jackson, who had been marketing the encyclopaedia since 1897, purchased all copyrights. They formed sales companies in both the United States and England. Hugh Chisholm became the editor for the tenth, eleventh and twelfth editions.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1768: 1768 Milestone — Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell began the first edition in 1768.
2. 1784: 1784 Milestone — The second edition was published in 1784.
3. 1793: 1793 Milestone — After Macfarquhar's death in 1793, Bell became its sole proprietor and published the third and fourth editions.
4. 1827: 1827 Milestone — When Constable died in 1827, A & C Black Ltd.
5. 1875: 1875 Milestone — Beginning with the ninth edition in 1875, the range of topics were expanded by bringing in contributors from the literary field, social sciences and the scientific community.
6. 1897: 1897 Milestone — Jackson, who had been marketing the encyclopaedia since 1897, purchased all copyrights.
7. 1901: 1901 Milestone — Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, and historically British, the company has been American-owned since 1901 and is now based in Chicago, Illinois.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Encyclopædia Britannica (company)

True or False: “Did the company cease all forms of publication after ending its physical print editions in 2012?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): No, while it ended print editions, the company continued to publish and develop educational products online, such as Britannica Insights.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld — Historical peer (Died in 1901) (1901): Finland-Swedish baron, renowned geologist, and pioneering Arctic explorer.
• Alberto Giacometti — Historical peer (Born in 1901) (1901): Swiss master of existential sculpture, known for elongated, fragile human figures.
• Arthur Guinness II — Historical peer (Born in 1768) (1768): Anglo-Irish brewer, banker, and politician who managed the expansion of the Guinness brewery.
• Canaletto — Historical peer (Died in 1768) (1768): Master Vedutista: Celebrated painter of Venetian and Roman cityscapes.
• Cesare Sterbini — Historical peer (Born in 1784) (1784): Italian writer and librettist, renowned for collaborating with Gioachino Rossini.
• Denis Diderot — Historical peer (Died in 1784) (1784): Enlightenment philosopher, co-founder of the Encyclopédie, and literary giant.
• Carlo Goldoni — Historical peer (Died in 1793) (1793): Master Italian playwright whose comedies captured the spirit of the rising middle class.
• Charles Paul de Kock — Historical peer (Born in 1793) (1793): Popular French novelist known for early success but criticized by literary critics.
• Alessandro Volta — Historical peer (Died in 1827) (1827): Pioneering Italian physicist, credited with the electric battery and electrochemistry.
• Arnold Böcklin — Historical peer (Born in 1827) (1827): Swiss Symbolist painter known for mythological scenes, especially 'Isle of the Dead'.

Frequently Asked Questions about Encyclopædia Britannica (company)