ASSIGNMENT

ON
MERRIAM WEBSTER’S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY

Subject: Information Source and Services (Practice)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Prof. Preeti Mahajan Mohd Muntazir
M.lib.ISC
Sem-1

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

PANJAB UNIVERSITY CHANDIGARH
Evaluation of Webster Biographical Dictionary
Authority

Title: Webster’s Biographical Dictionary

Subtitle: A Dictionary of Names of Noteworthy Persons with Pronunciation and Concise Biographies

Publisher: Springfield: G. & C. Merriam Co., 1953

Publication Date: 1953

Edition: 1st Edition

Second Edition: 1990

Title: Webster’s new Biographical Dictionary

Publisher: MERRIAM-WEBSTER. INCORPORATED.

Place of Publication: Springfield. Massachusetts

Publication Date: (8 March1990)

Third Revised Edition: 1995

Title: Merriam Webster’s Biographical Dictionary

Publisher: Springfield; Mass, Merriam-Webster.

Publication Date: (1 January 1995)

Introduction

Merriam Webster’s Biographical Dictionary was first published in 1953. It included biographical
information about living personage as well as those who had died when the Dictionary was revised in (8
March 1990), reference to living were dropped. It means, it means, this is retrospective biographical
dictionary after 1990.

The Webster’s New Biographical Dictionary (1990) takes as its job to present in single volume
biographical information on important, celebrated, or notorious figures from the last five thousand
years, beginning with Menes, king of Egypt c. 3100, B.C., and continuing through some 30,000 more.
One major change in the coverage of the book should be noted here: living persons, whose biographies
are virtually impossible to keep up to date I a book of this nature, are not included.

Merriam Webster’s Biographical Dictionary 3rd revised edition was published in (1 January 1995).

Webster’s biographical pocket dictionary: Publication date: July 1, 1996.

Scope

❖ The Webster’s biographical dictionary allows people to browse important people and gain
knowledge of who they were and why they were important.
❖ The Webster’s New Biographical dictionary has over 30,000 entries including birth and death
dates, career highlights and historical significance.
❖ The scope of the book is a universal, it is because the entries included from around the world.
❖ It provides the complete, unbiased, single volume of the biographies of important world
personalities.
❖ It covers the all field of human activities for instance, Rulers, Politicians, writers, inventors etc.
❖ This is a great reference for a quick look-up to thousands of people.
❖ It is planned to provide the greatest amount of information of value to the largest number of
users.
TREATMENT

o Webster’s Biographical Dictionary starts with several pages of explanatory notes, a guide to
pronunciation, a guide of use, and a table to understand abbreviations and pronunciation
symbols. All these information is very helpful in learning how to find and interpret the
information is very helpful in learning how to find and interpret the information needed.
o Entry heading are given in bold letters.
o Composite entries are also given, which include more than one subject for instance families
linked by common occupation.
o The Webster’s Biographical Dictionary provides syllabic division and pronunciation for the
Surname.
o It also provides accurate pronunciation for names with variant spellings of names and
pseudonyms.
o Many historical persons are entered under the name by which they are best known in English
rather than under the form of the name in their native language.
o The title of books written by the respective persons is given in Italic form and various
abbreviations have been used in this dictionary.
o Tables are given in the end pages of the book which includes United state of America, British
Empire, Egypt, Roman Emperors, Holy Roman Emperors, Popes, Countries of Europe, Countries
of Asia, Countries of Latin America and Index to Tables.
o Two general types cross reference are found namely
A. Cross entry in vocabulary
B. Cross entry in the body of an article
o Cross reference with “See” and “cf” are frequently used in the body of a biography
(“See” means additional information) and (“cf” means related material)

ARRANGEMET

The entries are arranged alphabetically by their Surname.

FORMAT

Printed Form

▪ It has hard cover binding over blue clothe, spine richly gilt decorated in compartments.
▪ Single volume.
▪ Entries are divided in to two columns on a single page.
▪ Heading are given with bold letters.
▪ Pronunciation and detailed information are given with the light ink.
SPECIAL FEATURES

Thumb index which make the dictionary a different look and also help the users to search to word easily.

LIMITATIONS

• It is not up-to-date.
• Not available online and CD-ROM version
• No pictures or illustrations are given.

CONCLUSION

Merriam Webster’s New Biographical Dictionary provides essential information about important people
who are no alive.

A dictionary of names of noteworthy persons with pronunciation and concise biographies. This
comprehensive reference is one of the most excellent of information on more or less important dead
persons. It covers all fields of human activities such as Politicians, rulers, writers, sports etc.

REFERENCES

WEBSTER BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY 1ST Edition

https://www.obebooks .com

https://archive.org.

https://www.amazon.com

https://www.worldcat.org

EXAMPLES

A. Am.bed’kar (am.bad’ker), Bhimrao Ramji. 1882- Hindu lawyer and social worker; educ.Columbia (1917),Bonn and
London School of Economics; ardent worker for abolition of caste, finally forcing Gandhi to take up untouchables as
political issue; appointed (July.1942) minister of labor in Indian cabinet.( Page no 44)
B. Gandhi \gan-de\, Mohandas Karamchand. Called Ma-hat-ma \m-hat-m, Angl also-hat-\ i.e. great-souled. 1869-1948
Indian nationalist and spiritual leader. Considered the father of his country. (Page no 385)
C. Neef (naf), Hermann. 1904- . German political leader; head of civil service of Nazi party.