Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition

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Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition

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A comprehensive 29-volume reference work capturing the world before WWI.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The eleventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1910–1911) is a 29-volume reference work. It was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time. This edition of the encyclopaedia, containing 40,000 entries, has entered the public domain and is readily available on the Internet. Its use in modern scholarship and as a reliable source has been deemed problematic due to the outdated nature of some of its content.

Career & Major Achievements

Nevertheless, the 11th edition has retained considerable value as a time capsule of scientific and historical information, as well as scholarly attitudes of the era immediately preceding World War I. The 1911 eleventh edition was assembled with the management of American publisher Horace Everett Hooper. Hugh Chisholm, who had edited the previous edition, was appointed editor-in-chief, with Walter Alison Phillips as his principal assistant editor. Originally, Hooper bought the rights to the 25-volume 9th edition and persuaded the British newspaper The Times to issue its reprint, with eleven additional volumes (35 volumes total), as the tenth edition, which was published in 1902. Hooper's association with The Times ceased in 1909, and he negotiated with Cambridge University Press to publish the 29-volume eleventh edition. Though it is generally perceived as a quintessentially British work, the eleventh edition had substantial American influences, in not only the increased amount of American and Canadian content, but also the efforts made to make it more popular.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

American marketing methods also assisted sales. Some 14% of the contributors (214 of 1507) were from North America, and a New York office was established to coordinate their work. The initials of the encyclopaedia's contributors appear at the end of selected articles or at the end of a section in the case of longer articles, such as that on China, and a key is given in each volume to these initials. Some articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time, such as Edmund Gosse, J. B. Bury, Algernon Charles Swinburne, John Muir, Peter Kropotkin, T. H. Huxley, James Hopwood Jeans and William Michael Rossetti. Among the then lesser-known contributors were some who would later become distinguished, such as Ernest Rutherford and Bertrand Russell.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1507: 1507 Milestone — Some 14% of the contributors (214 of 1507) were from North America, and a New York office was established to coordinate their work.
2. 1902: 1902 Milestone — Originally, Hooper bought the rights to the 25-volume 9th edition and persuaded the British newspaper The Times to issue its reprint, with eleven additional volumes (35 volumes total), as the tenth edition, which was published in 1902.
3. 1909: 1909 Milestone — Hooper's association with The Times ceased in 1909, and he negotiated with Cambridge University Press to publish the 29-volume eleventh edition.
4. 1910: 1910 Milestone — The eleventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1910–1911) is a 29-volume reference work.
5. 1911: 1911 Milestone — The 1911 eleventh edition was assembled with the management of American publisher Horace Everett Hooper.

Notable Quotes by Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition

“The eleventh edition's articles are still of value and interest to modern readers and scholars, especially as a cultural artifact: the British Empire was at its maximum...”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition

True or False: “The 11th edition was entirely written by British authors with no American influence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While perceived as quintessentially British, the eleventh edition had substantial American influences, including increased North American content and marketing efforts.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Born in 1910) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Born in 1910) (1910): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Born in 1911) (1911): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Ahmed Urabi — Historical peer (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.
• Abe Saperstein — Historical peer (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Agness Underwood — Historical peer (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering American journalist and city editor, breaking gender barriers in print media.
• Aboul-Qacem Echebbi — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Influential Tunisian poet, celebrated for his passionate verses and nationalistic spirit.
• Albert R. Broccoli — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• Altan Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1507) (1507): Mongolian prince and leader of the Tümed Mongols, patron of the Gelug school.
• Cesare Borgia — Historical peer (Died in 1507) (1507): Cardinal, military leader, and architect of a short-lived state in Renaissance Italy.

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