The Dictionary of Statistics (Reference Sources in Business & Economic History S.)

Mulhall’s Dictionary of Statistics, first published in 1883, is not only a standard work of reference for economists, but also a valuable tool for anyone studying almost any aspect of nineteenth-century life. Providing ample statistical information on a vast range of topics — ranging from agriculture, arms, charities, cheese, diet, disease, to insurance, land, marriage, shipping and prostitution — the Dictionary is illustrated throughout with clear tables, bar charts and several illustrations. Each of the larger subjects is introduced with a conspectus or general table showing the figures approximately for each country every ten years. This is followed by a more detailed description of each country, showing the official and non-official statements at successive epochs. Global in scope, there are few modern compilations that have been more extensively used.

Michael G. Mulhall (1836—1900) was a fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, whose work as a statistical compiler had already gained recognition through his works The Progress of the World and The Balance Sheet of the World. With his Dictionary he succeeded in ‘bringing to conclusion a work which has occupied a considerable portion of my life’ and ‘exhausts all the statistical information which I have been able to collect’ (from the Preface).

This, the 3rd edition of 1892, vastly expands on the earlier editions and brings the statistical information up to date. Including an extensive bibliography and index, it is an indispensable source for nineteenth century scholars.

—the first statistical dictionary to be published in any language
—a mine of useful and accurate facts, with bibligraphy and index
—indispensable fact-finding book for all aspects of the nineteenth century