A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature
For scholars and enthusiasts of the written word, reference works provide a vital bridge to the lives of the authors who shaped culture. One such work is A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, a comprehensive collection of writer biographies compiled by John William Cousin.
The Work of John William Cousin
Published in 1910, this dictionary serves as a snapshot of the literary landscape of its time. The author, John William Cousin (1849–1910), curated a wide array of entries to provide readers with a concise overview of influential writers.
Structure and Content
The dictionary is designed for efficiency, with the majority of its entries consisting of a single paragraph. This format allows for a broad survey of many authors. However, Cousin allocated more space to figures of immense historical importance; for example, the entry for William Shakespeare is notably lengthy compared to the standard entries.
Digital Preservation and Accessibility
In the modern era, the dictionary has found a new life through digital archiving. It holds a special place in the history of open-access literature due to its association with the Distributed Proofreaders project—a volunteer effort to digitize books.
The work was released on Project Gutenberg on August 21, 2004. Notably, it marked a significant milestone for the project as the 5,000th e-book provided by the Distributed Proofreaders to the Project Gutenberg library.
Key Facts
- Author: John William Cousin (1849–1910).
- Publication Year: 1910.
- Content: Biographies of English literature writers, ranging from single paragraphs to detailed entries.
- Digital Milestone: The 5,000th e-book contributed by Distributed Proofreaders to Project Gutenberg.
- Digital Release Date: August 21, 2004.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | John William Cousin |
| Original Publication | 1910 |
| Primary Subject | Biographies of English writers |
| Digital Archive | Project Gutenberg |
| Release Date (Digital) | August 21, 2004 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature?
The dictionary was written by John William Cousin, who lived from 1849 to 1910.
When was the book first published?
The work was published in 1910.
Are all the biographies in the book the same length?
No. While most entries are only one paragraph long, some prominent figures, such as William Shakespeare, have much lengthier entries.
How is the book available today?
It is available as an e-book through Project Gutenberg, having been digitized by the Distributed Proofreaders project.
What is the significance of this book to Project Gutenberg?
It was the 5,000th e-book provided to Project Gutenberg by the Distributed Proofreaders project.