In this expanded four-volume set of the
Great Lives from History
series, the lives of important men and women in all areas of achievement who flourished between 1801 and 1900 are profiled in extended biographical essays. The lengthy essays provide in-depth coverage and annotated bibliographic resources with worldwide focus including strong coverage of non-Europeans and women. A total of 737 essays covering 757 major figures comprise the set, including 123 women. Among the 189 sidebars, quotations from primary source documents supplement the text throughout. Both the geographic and the occupational scope of the individuals covered in
Great Lives from History: The 19th Century, 1801-1900
are intentionally broad, with a view to including influential individuals worldwide. Coverage is broad in areas of achievement as well as geography, while at the same time including the recognized shapers of history essential in any liberal arts curriculum. Major world leaders appear here, as well as the giants of religious faith who were central to the century: monarchs, presidents, popes, philosophers, writers, social reformers, educators, artists, scientists, and military leaders who left their imprint on political, cultural, and spiritual institutions. Also, however, the set includes figures who have received little attention in the past, from American educator and science writer Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz to Chinese statesman and military leader Zeng Guofan. By category, the contents include figures whose achievements fall into one or more of the following areas: agriculture, architecture, art, astronomy, biology, business, chemistry, church government, communications, crime, diplomacy, economics, education, engineering, entertainment, exploration, geography, geology, government and politics, historiography, journalism, law, linguistics, literature, mathematics, medicine, military, music, patronage of the arts, philanthropy, philosophy, photography, physics, psychology, religion and theology, scholarship, science and technology, social reform, sociology, sports, theater, warfare and conquest, and women’s rights. Each essay ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 words in length (roughly 3 to 5 pages) and displays standard ready-reference top matter offering easy access to biographical information. Several features distinguish this series as a whole from other biographical reference works. The front matter includes a complete list of contents; a key to pronunciation; a list of maps and sidebars. The front matter of each volume contains a section of maps displaying major regions of the world during the 19th century. There are 4 volumes; 2,944 pages; 189 sidebars, primary source quotes; 350 photographs; 737 biographies, 120 new; regional and world maps; rulers and heads of state list; pronunciation guide; cross-references; chronological list of entries; category index; geographical index; personages index; and, subject index.
