In the first part of the previous article on “The Evolution of Printed Encyclopedias from the 18th Century to the Modern Era,” attention was drawn to the contributions of the French philosopher and writer Denis Diderot through his famous encyclopedia titled “Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers,” which was published between 1751 and 1772 in 35 volumes. The article highlighted how his work, along with other encyclopedic endeavors that emerged in 18th-century Europe, contributed to the widespread phenomenon of comprehensive encyclopedia publications across the continent.

The second part of the article explores the developments that followed the spread of Diderot’s encyclopedia, and how his work accelerated the rise and expansion of printed encyclopedias. It presents the background leading to the appearance of key encyclopedias such as the “Encyclopædia Britannica,” the “American Encyclopedia,” and “Collier’s Encyclopedia,” and their dissemination in Europe and the United States.

Following Diderot’s monumental effort, the “Encyclopædia Britannica” emerged as the first major comprehensive encyclopedia in the English language. It was published between 1768 and 1771 in Edinburgh, with its first edition comprising three volumes prepared by a group known as the “Society of Gentlemen in Scotland.” The project was led by Andrew Bell and Colin Macfarquhar, with William Smellie contributing to its editing. The first edition was titled “Encyclopædia Britannica: or, A Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, compiled upon a new plan.”

The “Encyclopædia Britannica” was a direct response to Diderot’s encyclopedia, seeking to distinguish itself by adopting a novel vision that included an innovative indexing style, concise presentation of topics, and, most importantly, the inclusion of numerous specialized contributors across fields. This approach was part of the European race to produce comprehensive encyclopedias at the time.

The second edition of the “Encyclopædia Britannica” expanded to over 10 volumes, and by the mid-19th century, it surpassed 20 volumes. Numerous experts, scholars, and researchers contributed to its content, and each edition was continually revised and updated. In 1901, the rights to the encyclopedia were acquired by a group of American businessmen led by Illinois politician William Benton. Over the subsequent decades, its ownership transferred between various American individuals and companies, making it effectively an American encyclopedia since the early 20th century, despite its British name.

The encyclopedia faced several challenges throughout its journey, most notably the economic consequences of the Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted through the 1930s. In response, the encyclopedia adopted various marketing strategies such as direct sales and employing female researchers to answer public inquiries. The last printed edition was released in 2010, consisting of 32 volumes, after which the encyclopedia focused on online services, subscription-based access, and the development of educational programs for all academic levels.

In parallel with the rise of the “Encyclopædia Britannica,” the “American Encyclopedia” emerged as a significant American contribution to the encyclopedic world. It was initiated by German-American philosopher Francis Lieber, and its first edition was published between 1829 and 1833 in American English. Initially consisting of 13 volumes, its aim was to offer a broad and comprehensive view of American culture, history, and geography.

It was the first encyclopedia to be published in the United States. Over time, it expanded, and by the 1918–1920 edition, it included 30 volumes. Since the 20th century, it became known for issuing an annual yearbook covering major events across disciplines. Today, the encyclopedia is owned by the American company Scholastic Inc.

Though comprehensive in scope and covering a variety of fields, the “American Encyclopedia” primarily focused on the history and geography of the United States and Canada. More than 6,000 experts contributed to its content, which included 1,200 maps and 4,500 images. Its final printed edition was issued in 2006.

Another prominent printed encyclopedia in the West was “Collier’s Encyclopedia,” which was first published between 1949 and 1951 by P.F. Collier & Son, a company founded by Irish-American Peter Fenelon Collier. The first edition consisted of 20 volumes, and its last printed edition appeared in 1997.

These three encyclopedias — “Britannica,” “American,” and “Collier’s” — are commonly referred to in the United States as The ABCs of Encyclopedias, based on the initials of their English names. Libraries around the world take pride in owning these encyclopedias, often promoting their availability as a way to attract readers and researchers.

It is also noteworthy that in the 20th century Western world, families took pride in owning such encyclopedias as part of their personal libraries — a symbol of cultural sophistication and purchasing power.

In conclusion, the evolution of printed encyclopedias stands as a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for knowledge. Today, access to information has become significantly easier thanks to the internet, although the reliability of some online content may occasionally be questionable.

This shift from printed volumes to dynamic online platforms has revolutionized how contemporary generations interact with knowledge, enabling real-time updates and broader accessibility.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Source: Akhbar Al Khaleej

Dr. Hamad AlAbdulla, Executive Director