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 in Edinburgh. 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 of London, 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''
* Sir Gilbert Inglefield, the Lord Mayor of the City of London
* the Right Honorable Harold Wilson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
* William Benton, Chairman and publisher of the ''Britannica''
* Sir William 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 the Open University by the ''Britannica's'' push into international markets, as well as by the Soviet Union's dedicated broadcasting of educational propaganda. Finally, the ''Britannica's'' view of itself as the ''summa'' of all civilization can be gleaned from its publisher Bill Benton's speech.

The Exhibition at the Newberry Library

From 9 April 1968 through 31 May 1968, the Newberry Library in Chicago 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 dated 9 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.

See also

* History of the ''Encyclopædia Britannica''

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bicentennial of the Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
Bicentennial anniversaries
1968 in Scotland
1968 in Illinois