- Bicentennial of the Encyclopædia Britannica
The first two pamphlets ("numbers") of the "
Encyclopædia Britannica " were issued in December 1768, being sold from the printing office of its originator,Colin Macfarquhar , in Nicholson Street inEdinburgh . In 1968, several celebrations of the "Britannica's" bicentennial were held, and the three volumes of the 1st edition were reprinted in facsimile.The "Britannica" Banquet
On
15 October 1968 , the "Britannica" threw a banquet for itself celebrating its 200th birthday. Queen Elizabeth herself was not present, although she sent warm thanks for the gift of a fresh copy of the 14th edition. Hundreds of guests were arranged at 13 tables and served an exceptional dinner with well-chosen wines and tasteful music:During the reception, the music was provided by Pipe Major L. D. V. de Laspee of the London Scottish, by kind permission of Lt. Colonel A. F. Niekirk, TD Officer Commanding. During the banquet itself, music was provided by the String Orchestra of the Royal Artillery Band, as directed by Captain R. Quinn, MBE, LSRM, RA, by kind permission of the Director, Royal Artillery. Later in the banquet, a programme of fanfares was performed by the Guild of Gentlemen Trumpeters. As Sir
Gilbert Inglefield , the Lord Mayor ofLondon , put it during his speech, "This, surely, is yet one more memorable episode in our chronicles of time."Five speakers gave brief speeches at the banquet:
* Dr.
Robert Hutchins , Chairman of the Board of Editors for the "Britannica"
* SirGilbert Inglefield , the Lord Mayor of the City of London
* the Right HonorableHarold Wilson , Prime Minister of theUnited Kingdom
*William Benton , Chairman and publisher of the "Britannica"
* SirWilliam Haley , Editor in Chief of the "Britannica"Many amusing episodes in the "Britannica's" history were recounted. Several speakers reiterated the "Britannica's" commitment to being not merely a reference work (an "enchantingly vast cornucopia of erudition", in Sir Gilbert Inglefield's words), but a great educational instrument of all humanity; in the words of Dr. Hutchins, "the "Britannica" seems destined to become a world university" and "Senator Benton...will go down in history as one of the most influential educators of our time." Prime Minister Harold Wilson stated that he and
Jennie Lee were inspired to begin theOpen University by the "Britannica's" push into international markets, as well as by theSoviet Union 's dedicated broadcasting of educationalpropaganda . Finally, the "Britannica's" view of itself as the "summa" of allcivilization can be gleaned from its publisher Bill Benton's speech.The Exhibition at the Newberry Library
From
9 April 1968 through31 May 1968 , the Newberry Library inChicago offered an exhibit celebrating all encyclopedias, but most particularly the "Britannica". The exhibit was accompanied by a book by James M. Wells, who wrote an overview essay dated9 January 1968 .Re-issue of the 1st edition
On the occasion of its 200th anniversary,
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. published a facsimile of the 1st edition, even including "age spots" on the paper. This has been periodically reprinted and is still part of Britannica's product line. [cite book | title = Encyclopædia Britannica, 1st edition reprint | publisher =Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. | year = 2004 | id = ISBN 0852290667]ee also
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History of the Encyclopædia Britannica References
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