Book of Knowledge

The Book of Knowledge was an encyclopedia aimed at juveniles first published in 1912, by the Grolier Society.

Book of Knowledge 1919 Edition. 20 volumes.

Originally largely a reprint of the British Children's Encyclopaedia with revisions related to the United States by Holland Thompson, over time the encyclopedia evolved into a new entity entirely. It was published under a policy of continuous revision, meaning that there were no separate editions, but annual printings that were edited and updated by the publisher. Thompson remained editor until his death in 1940. From 1941 to 1960 it was edited by Ellen V. McLaughlin and from 1960 to 1966 by John D. Tedford. In 1966 it was replaced by the New Book of Knowledge.[1]

The number of volumes fluctuated. It was originally a 24 volume set, but other print runs had 10, 12 or 20.[2]; 1919 was a 20 volume set as show in the image above, as was 1951.[3] From 1949 Grolier also issued a Book of Knowledge Annual.[4]

Encyclopaedia Britannica praised the index system that was introduced by the Book of Knowledge: "much of the success of the work as a reference tool resulted from its splendidly contrived index, which remains a model of its kind."[5]. There was a separate index for poetry.

References
  1. Walsh, S. Padraig, 1922- Anglo-American general encyclopedias: a historical bibliography, 1703-1967 New York : Bowker, p.14
  2. Walsh p.14
  3. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-1952-Book-Knowledge-School-Subject/dp/B003U7NSHM
  4. Robert Collison Encyclopedias: their history throughout the ages 2nd ed. New York and London; Haffner Publishing Company 1966 p.298
  5. https://www.britannica.com/topic/encyclopaedia/The-kinds-of-encyclopaedias#ref307541

Sample pages of 1919 edition
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1, Table of Contents
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 4. The story of the earth.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 110. Thinking problems, match tricks, measurement conversion.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 254. Card trick.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 264. Music lesson.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 266. Drawing lesson.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 269. French lesson
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1 Page 310. Trains.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 1. Passenger ship.
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 20, General Index Start
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 20, General Index Sample
  • Book of Knowledge 1919 Vol 20, Poetry Index Start
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