IMPERIAL DICTIONARY OF UNIVERSAL BIOGRAPHY, THE:
A Series of Original Memoirs of Distinguished Men, of All Ages and All Nations. By writers of eminence in the various branches of literature, science, and art. 3 vols. in 16 parts. Vol. I, part 1-6: General editior: P. E. Dove, corresponding editor: J. Brown; from Vol. II, part 7 the editor was John Francis Waller. Conducted by John Eadie, J. P. Nichol, John Francis Waller, W. J. M. Rankine, Edwin Lankester, and Francis Bowen. London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, William Mackenzie, no date. (around 1870). 4to. I: (4)+1152; II: (4)+988 III: (4)+948 p. With 3 steel engr. titles. and 95 steel engr. portraits. Orig. brown full cloth covers with gilt and blind stamped decoration, spine lettered and decorated in gilt. A little foxed, Tear in one portræt repaired with tape, 6 portraits a little frayed in the outer margin, all the tissue-guards foxed, not affecting the plates.
¶ 'The Imperial Dictionary of Univeral Biography' is an impressive, and quite huge set of biographical dictionaries from the mid 19th century, an attempt to summarise all those who had contributed to the development of Western civilisation. A who's who of history, covering royalty, writers, artists, politicians, soldiers, philosophers, psychologists, explorers, merchants, scientists and many others. The contributors did not confine themselves to British people alone. Although the frontispiece proudly proclaims that it is a 'series of original memoires of distinguished men', a few women are included. Those regarded as distinguished enough for inclusion are largely Europeans and Americans who was fashionable in their time. While, inevitably, some of the subjects have slipped into obscurity, it is interesting to have contemporary views on the great people of that time.
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