Collier's Encyclopedia
A United States general encyclopedia, once a leading reference work alongside Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopædia Britannica, known for continuous revision, bibliographies, and illustrated articles.
Overview
Collier's Encyclopedia was a United States–based general encyclopedia produced as a multi-volume reference intended for libraries, schools, and private households. It presented broad surveys of topics across the arts, sciences, history, and current affairs and emphasized regular updating and editorial control. It also carried an explicit bibliography and index alongside its articles to help readers pursue further research. The work was published by Crowell, Collier and Macmillan and was commonly compared with other major English-language general encyclopedias such as Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopædia Britannica.
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Structure and content
The encyclopedia combined general summary articles with supporting reference material. Typical features included concise overviews, thematic essays, bibliographic entries, and visual material such as illustrations and maps. Entries aimed to summarize established knowledge and to direct readers to further sources through cited bibliographies and an organized index. The editorial approach favored clarity and accessibility for non-specialist readers while drawing on expert contributions for technical subjects.
History and development
Originally produced in the 20th century by publishers associated with the Collier name, the encyclopedia underwent multiple editorial revisions to keep content current. Over time it evolved into a recognizable competitor among large English-language general encyclopedias and was frequently grouped with its peers in reference publishing. Like many print reference works, Collier's experienced transformation in response to changing information technology: later versions and derivative products appeared in electronic formats as readers shifted toward digital sources.
Uses and readership
Collier's served as a general-purpose research tool for students, teachers, librarians, and general readers. Its combination of summary articles and bibliographic guidance made it useful for introductory study and for locating primary and secondary sources. Institutions often held complete sets on reference shelves, and individual volumes were used to answer factual questions, provide context for news and events, and support homework and curricular work.
Notable distinctions and legacy
The encyclopedia was often cited alongside other major works and, together with Collier's Encyclopedia references and its contemporaries, formed part of what some reference librarians called the major English-language encyclopedic tradition. That tradition valued systematic arrangement, editorial oversight, and continuing revision. Although the prominence of printed multi-volume encyclopedias has declined with the rise of online resources, Collier's remains a historically significant example of 20th-century American reference publishing.
- Type: general, multi-volume reference work
- Features: articles, bibliographies, index, illustrations
- Audience: libraries, schools, general readership
For comparative context and to explore related works, see entries on Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopædia Britannica.
Questions and answers
Q: What was Collier's Encyclopedia?
A: Collier's Encyclopedia was a general encyclopedia published in the United States by Crowell, Collier and Macmillan.
Q: What was the full title of Collier's Encyclopedia?
A: The full title of Collier's Encyclopedia was Collier's Encyclopedia with Bibliography and Index.
Q: What did Collier's Encyclopedia claim to be?
A: Collier's Encyclopedia claimed to be "a scholarly, systematic, continuously revised summary of the knowledge that is most significant to mankind".
Q: What did many people believe about Collier's Encyclopedia?
A: Many people believed that Collier's Encyclopedia was one of the three major contemporary English-language general encyclopedias, along with Encyclopedia Americana and Encyclopædia Britannica.
Q: What were the three major contemporary English-language general encyclopedias sometimes collectively called?
A: The three major contemporary English-language general encyclopedias were sometimes collectively called "the ABCs".
Q: Who published Collier's Encyclopedia?
A: Collier's Encyclopedia was published by Crowell, Collier and Macmillan.
Q: Was Collier's Encyclopedia revised?
A: Yes, Collier's Encyclopedia was continuously revised.
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AlegsaOnline.com Collier's Encyclopedia Leandro Alegsa
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