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RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPERIENCE [OF?] THE PUBLISHERS OF THE NATIONAL CYCLOPAEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.
As the business of the Publishers heretofore has not brought them into close relationship with the Eastern public, it is proper that a statement of their experience and responsibility should be made.
The House was establised in San Francisco, in 1873. It has had large experience in the Publishing business, being connected with Appleton's American Cyclopaedia for years. In 1886, the Firm transferred its headquarters to New York, and in answer to teh enquiries of the Mercantile Agencies, asked to be given only the rating [accorded?] them in San Francisco. They have asked no credit from anyone, and have steadily refused to allow this rating to be changed.
As the character of this new enterprise, however, makes it proper that the public should be assured of their finacial abilty to carry through such a large undertaking, they have made a verified statement of their responsibility, upon which the Mercantile Agencies have given them a rating on a par with the largest Publishing Houses of the Metropolis, with credit unlimited- THE HIGHEST RATING KNOWN TO THE MERCANTILE WORLD!
A special equir to R. G. Dun & Co. or Bradstreets will substantiate this statement.
JAMES T. WHITE & CO., 765 Broadway, New York.
January 1, 1891
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From Washington Post. Sept. [21?], 1891.
American Biographical Cyclopedia.
The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, now in course of preparation, by James T. White & Co., New York city, bids fair to be one of the large literary enterprises of the century. The plan of its preparation, as indicated by the publishers, must commend itself to every one. Nominating and advisory editors are appointed in the various States, who indicate those who are entitled o representation, and who act as sponsors for their worthiness. Instead of devoting the greater portion of the work to pre-Revolutionary times, it is intended to make this a live cyclopedia, which, while preserving all that is valuable in the past, will embrace the men and women who are doing the work and molding the thought of to-day. While literary workers are given ample representation, it is thought that the great forces of to-day wich contribute to the largest growth of the country are in its industrial and commercial pursuits, which deserve and command fuller recognition than heretofore been accorded them in works of this character. It is aimed as far as possible to have every biography embellished with a portait, which shows at one glance the man and his work. In a cyclopedia where space is necessarily limited, biography is much more intelligible whe acompanied by a portrait. Carried out upon such lines the work must prove invaluable to the busy worker, and particularly to the editors of the public press.
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THE
NATIONAL CYCLOPEDIA
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY,
BEING THE
History of the United States
As Illustrated in the Lives of the Founders, Builders and Defenders of the Republic, and of the Men and Women who are Doing the Work, and Moulding the Thought
OF THE PRESENT TIME.
MANAGER, EDITOR.
JOHN HOWARD BROWN.
Editor of "Around the World with General Grant." "Life of Charles Summer," " All Around the World." "The Soldier in Our Civil War." "The Historical Register of the Centennial Exposition of 1870." etc.
WITH ASSOCIATE EDITORS IN THE VARIOUS STATES.
NEW YORK: JAMES T. WHITE & CO., 765 BROADWAY. 1891
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PROSPECTUS.
National Character.
THE National Cyclopedia of AmericanBiography has been undertaken to provide a Biographical Record of the New World, worthy to rank with the great National Biographies of Europe. It will embrace biographical sketches of all persons prominently connected with the history of the country; all rulers, statesmen, and soldiers; all persons noteworthy in the church, at the bar, in literture or the arts, in science and invention, in exploration or discovery, in commerce or mechanics. It, in brief, will include the name of every person in every branch of human activity who has been identified with American progress and civilization.
A Complete History of the United States.
The biographies are of sufficient fulness to include all facts deserving mention, and taken together they will afford a complete history of the United States -- political, social, commercial, and industrial.
Carefulness of Preparation.
This Cyclopedia is unique. The most prominent writers of the day, have been enlisted in the work of collecting the historical biographies of the country. Prominent men everywhere have been asked to summarize their experience for the benefit of their fellow-men, and already information, which has never before been given to the world.
Character Portraits.
It is intended to make each character-sketch a likeness which the world will immediately recognize; which will give the underlying motive to individual endeavor, the secret of success, the methods and the means of progress, and the aim and aspiration of thought; and which will be as readable as a tale of ad venture or travel. It is aimed, moreover, to render the Cyclopedia educational, as well as entertaining, by making the lives of important men illustrate noteworthy epochs of national history.
Magnitude of the Work.
Such a work of Historical Biography has never before been attempted. Previous works have either excluded the living, or limited them to the well-known few in the centers of activity. But it is
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National Character.
intended to make this a National Cyclopedia which shall represent the entire Republic, and reflect the spirit, genius, and life of every section. The editor has endeavored in all instances to obtain the cooperation of the most competent students of special periods or departments of history, and he has the assistance of scholarly and experienced associates.
Best Writers of the Country.
Many articles of importance are contributed by some of the most brilliant names in American literature, as well as by many of our most illustrious statesmen, soldiers and jurists. Much valuable material is obtained from original sources, and in the case of recent lives, and those "men of light and leading" who are still with us, important aid is afforded by the friends and relatives of the subjects.
Right to be Fairly Represented.
Every man has the rigth fully and fairly to disclose himself, his past life, his aspirations, efforts, successes, and failures, and to explain intentions, correct errors, and have a clean, straightforward, and honorable record transcribed to the pages of biography, where it will remain forever the pride and honor of the family, and a benefit to mankind. How different is this from the unrecorded life, which must ever be, even to family and friends, half-known, ill understood, harshly judged, and all from an unfortunate neglect of proper explanation. Nor
Not Egotism.
can this be called egotism; it is a high above vulgar conceit, as healthy self-respect is above empty boasting. No one ever did a manly work without having a manly pride in it, and it is this some noble sentiment which actuates him in giving to others the benefits of his experiences. Title to this distinction is not determined by money or morality, but rather by what the person has accomplished. It is rather what a man does than what he is that stimulates progress.
What Advances Civilization.
Achievement in engineering, electricity, or mechanics; improvements in locomotives, looms, or ploughs, contribute as much to the advancement of civilization as an epic poem or an Oxford tract, and the workers of this achievement are to be sought out and given to the world, through the pages of the National Cyclopedia of American Biography.
Originality.
This plan has never before been adopted. It secures entire orignality, and will rescue from forgetfulness many men and women who have been important facters in American history.