Encyclopædia Britannica

Encyclopædia Britannica is a general knowledge English-language encyclopedia that has been published continuously since the 18th century. It is known for its scholarly approach and is one of the most reputable and oldest English-language encyclopedias in existence.

History

The Encyclopædia Britannica was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1768 by Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell. It was initially released in three volumes over a period of three years. The encyclopedia quickly gained popularity due to its comprehensive coverage of topics and its commitment to accuracy.

Editions

Over the centuries, the Encyclopædia Britannica has been updated and expanded, with the 15th edition being the latest. This edition, known as the New Encyclopædia Britannica, was published in 1985 and consists of 32 volumes.

Content and Style

The Encyclopædia Britannica is known for its in-depth articles, many of which are written by experts in their respective fields. The encyclopedia covers a wide range of topics, from history and science to culture and geography. The writing style is scholarly yet accessible, making it a valuable resource for both academics and general readers.

Digital Era

In 1994, the Encyclopædia Britannica was one of the first encyclopedias to be digitized and made available online. The digital version includes all the content of the print version, as well as additional features such as multimedia content and links to related resources.

Impact and Legacy

The Encyclopædia Britannica has had a significant impact on the development of encyclopedias and the dissemination of knowledge. It has set the standard for accuracy and comprehensiveness in the field of general knowledge encyclopedias.

See Also

• Encyclopedia
• History of encyclopedias
• Digital encyclopedia