The Dictionary of Biographical Reference

Excerpt from The Dictionary of Biographical Reference: Containing One Hundred Thousand Names, Together With a Classed Index of the Biographical Literature of Europe and America

Of works on Biography the number is legion nevertheless, it appeared to the compiler of the present volume that room still existed for a Compendium, in which, by a judicious system of compression, 3. Students' Dictionary might be formed, which would register what, after all, is of the first importance to them, - viz., the more prominent dates and facts, - and at the same time assist them to the knowledge of works of a more recondite nature, in which fuller information might be found, if needed.

Such a Compendium is now before the reader. An approximation to the system adopted has been attempted by others, but in no case has it been carried out to the extent of the present work neither has the system of reference - the principal feature of this design ever been essayed, if thought of.

The want which the present work is intended to supply is one which must have been experienced by every earnest reader or writer. The value of the data upon which the 'generalisations of both must rest mainly depends upon the readiness with which they can be verified, and no facts are more frequently in requisition for this purpose than those connected with the personal history of individuals; and when these are not of such note as to have taken their place in general history, it will be evident to all that much valuable time is frequently wasted in the attempt to identify them.

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