Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins, 5th ed. - Hardcover

Room, Adrian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786443731 ISBN 13: 9780786443734

Publisher: McFarland & Company, 2010

Synopsis

Substantially revised and enlarged, this new edition of the Dictionary of Pseudonyms includes more than 2,000 new entries, bringing the volume's total to approximately 13,000 assumed names, nicknames, stage names, and aliases. The introduction has been entirely rewritten, and many previous entries feature new accompanying details or quoted material. This volume also features a significantly greater number of cross-references than was included in previous editions. Arranged by pseudonym, the entries give the true name, vital dates, country of origin or settlement, and profession. Many entries also include the story behind the person's name change.

About this title

About the Author

The late Adrian Room was a noted toponymist and onomastician. The author of more than 50 reference books about words and names, he lived in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

From the Back Cover

Substantially revised and enlarged, this new edition of the Dictionary of Pseudonyms includes more than 2,000 new entries, bringing the volume's total to approximately 13,000 assumed names, nicknames, stage names, and aliases. The introduction has been entirely rewritten, and many previous entries feature new accompanying details or quoted material. This volume also features a significantly greater number of cross-references than was included in previous editions. Arranged by pseudonym, the entries give the true name, vital dates, country of origin or settlement, and profession. Many entries also include the story behind the person's name change.

Reviews

Containing 13,000 entries, including 2,000 new ones since the fourth edition was published, in 2004, this work covers assumed names, nicknames, stage names, aliases, and other types of pseudonyms. A revised introductory essay offers useful background information and also provides examples of little-known “orthonyms” (true names) along with the pseudonyms. Arranged alphabetically by pseudonym, each entry includes the original name, biographical dates, country of origin, and profession. Many entries contain short summaries about the history of the name change along with bibliographic citations. The various explanations of how Robert Allen Zimmerman became Bob Dylan are particularly interesting. Numerous cross-references expedite access to the text. Compiler Room is a world-famous expert on onomastics (the study of names) who writes succinct prose. A quibble: the volume still does not include separate entries for birth names, an omission noted in the review of the previous edition. Recommended for public and academic libraries. --Donald Altschiller

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786443731
• ISBN 13: 9780786443734
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 536