Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
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| Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | |
|---|---|
 Publisher: Smith, Elder & Co.
Editor: Leslie. Stephen · Public domain · source | |
| Title | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
| Author | Leslie Stephen, Sir Sidney Lee |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Publication date | 1885-1900, 2004 |
| Media type | Print, online |
| Pages | 60 volumes |
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is a comprehensive reference work that provides detailed biographies of notable individuals from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and British Empire. The dictionary includes entries on famous figures such as Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, and Isaac Newton, as well as lesser-known individuals like Mary Seacole, Noor Inayat Khan, and Alan Turing. With contributions from esteemed scholars and experts, including Eric Hobsbawm, Roy Jenkins, and Antonia Fraser, the dictionary offers a wealth of information on the lives and achievements of over 50,000 individuals, including Alexander Graham Bell, Florence Nightingale, and Mahatma Gandhi. The dictionary's coverage spans from the Roman Britain era to the present day, including notable events like the Battle of Hastings, English Civil War, and World War I.
● History
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has its roots in the Dictionary of National Biography, which was first published in 1885 under the editorship of Leslie Stephen and Sir Sidney Lee. The original dictionary was published in 63 volumes and included entries on over 29,000 individuals, including Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Charles Dickens. The dictionary was later revised and updated, with new volumes being added to cover individuals who had died since the original publication, such as Oscar Wilde, Emily Dickinson, and Mark Twain. In 2004, the dictionary was completely revised and updated, with new entries being added on individuals like Princess Diana, John Lennon, and Stephen Hawking, and existing entries being revised to reflect new research and discoveries, including those related to the Tudor period, Stuart period, and Georgian era.
● Scope and Coverage
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography covers a wide range of individuals, including politicians like Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown, artists like J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and Lucian Freud, writers like George Orwell, Virginia Woolf, and Samuel Beckett, and scientists like Stephen Hawking, Rosalind Franklin, and Alexander Fleming. The dictionary also includes entries on notable individuals from the British Empire, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Winston Churchill, as well as those who have made significant contributions to British society, like William Wilberforce, Elizabeth Fry, and Emmeline Pankhurst. The dictionary's coverage spans from the Roman Britain era to the present day, including notable events like the Battle of Waterloo, Crimean War, and World War II.
● Publication and Updates
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is published by Oxford University Press and is available in print and online, with updates being added regularly to reflect new research and discoveries, including those related to the English Reformation, Glorious Revolution, and Industrial Revolution. The online version of the dictionary includes over 50,000 entries, with new entries being added every month, including those on individuals like David Beckham, J.K. Rowling, and Elton John. The dictionary is also available on CD-ROM and as an e-book, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including researchers, students, and the general public, who can access information on notable events like the Battle of Trafalgar, Opium Wars, and Falklands War.
● Content and Format
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography includes detailed biographies of notable individuals, with each entry providing information on the individual's life, achievements, and legacy, including their relationships with other notable figures like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret. The entries are written by esteemed scholars and experts, including Eric Hobsbawm, Roy Jenkins, and Antonia Fraser, and are based on extensive research and primary sources, such as those related to the Treaty of Versailles, Magna Carta, and Bill of Rights 1689. The dictionary also includes illustrations, photographs, and other visual materials, such as images of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Stonehenge, to enhance the entries and provide additional context, including information on notable events like the Great Fire of London, Black Death, and English Civil War.
● Editorial Process
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is edited by a team of experienced scholars and researchers, who work to ensure the accuracy and quality of the entries, including those on individuals like Charles Darwin, Jane Austen, and William Shakespeare. The editorial process involves extensive research and fact-checking, as well as peer review and editing, to ensure that the entries meet the highest standards of scholarship and accuracy, including those related to the Roman Empire, Anglo-Saxon England, and Norman Conquest. The dictionary's editors work with a team of contributors, including historians like Simon Schama, Niall Ferguson, and Linda Colley, to ensure that the entries are comprehensive and up-to-date, including information on notable events like the Battle of Agincourt, Spanish Armada, and Glorious Revolution.
● Reception and Impact
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has received widespread critical acclaim for its comprehensive coverage and scholarly accuracy, with reviewers praising its entries on individuals like Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Stephen Hawking. The dictionary has been recognized as a major reference work, with many considering it an essential resource for researchers, students, and the general public, who can access information on notable events like the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Britain, and D-Day. The dictionary has also been praised for its online version, which provides easy access to the entries and allows users to search and browse the content, including information on notable figures like Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, and Oliver Cromwell. The dictionary's impact extends beyond the academic community, with its entries being used by journalists, biographers, and documentary makers, including those working on projects related to the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.