The Bibliotheca Britannica is one of the most remarkable examples of bibliographical scholarship in the English Language. This scarce work of reference continues to be an invaluable resource for scholars and librarians who wish to identify early printed materials covering a wide range of disciplines. Routledge is pleased to make this important source of information more widely available. Published in 1824, it is estimated to include more than 200,000 books, pamphlets and periodicals printed from 1450 to the early nineteenth century.
The Bibliotheca is divided into four...

Originally sponsored by the editor William Smellie, the engraver Andrew Bell, and Colin Macfarquahar the printer, this work was inspired by the success of Diderot's Encyclopedie. The first English-language compendium to be called an encyclopaedia. Unlike rival publications it was published in quarto rather than the usual octavo or folio format. More importantly the encyclopaedia was compiled on a completely new plan, alphabetically arranged, combining easy reference to individual items, terms and minor topics. Given the speed of publication and the small jack-of-all-trades team involved, the...