For much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Britain was the dominant world power, its strength based in large part on its command of an Empire that, in the years immediately after World War I, encompassed almost one-quarter of the earth’s land surface and one-fifth of its population. Writers boasted that the sun never set on British possessions, which provided raw materials that, processed in British factories, could be re-exported as manufactured products to expanding colonial markets. The commercial and political might was not based on any grand strategic plan of territorial acquisition, however. The Empire grew piecemeal, shaped by the diplomatic, economic, and military circumstances of the times, and its speedy dismemberment in the mid-twentieth century was, similarly, a reaction to the realities of geopolitics in post-World War II conditions. Today the Empire has gone but it has left a legacy that remains of great significance in the modern world. The Historical Dictionary of the British Empire covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Britain.

As historians evaluate the 20th century, the collapse of the European empires will no doubt be viewed as seminal events. Of all the European empires, the British empire was the most extensive and most enduring. This historical dictionary is a useful source of information on the empire from its beginnings in the 1600s to its collapse in the 20th century. Covering the entire geographical expanse of the empire, it includes entries on the colonies, the people who played a role in the empire, and the major events in the history of the empire. Covering the entire geographical expanse of the empire, the book includes entries on the colonies, the people who played a role in the empire, the wars and treaties affecting the empire, and the major events in its history. Each entry includes sources of additional information, and the work includes a selected bibliography and a comprehensive index.

Contains a historical dictionary, with particular emphasis on entries relating to the British Empire.

Contains 650 entries in alpha. order on the Brit. Imperial past and Commonwealth present. A ref. companion to the political, cultural, religious, mil. and econ. events that have shaped the transformation of a Victorian Empire into a world community of 51 sovereign states and 26 dependencies, still linked in free assoc. It looks back to the beginning of Brit. maritime expansion, but concentrates chiefly on the last 2 cent. As well as providing outline histories of individual states, it offers guidance to the many Commonwealth org. which link them. Includes biographical sketches; entries on cinema and theater, sports, natural disasters, railways, hill stations, and hotels. 7 maps.

This reference book, containing the biographies of more than 1,100 notable British women from Boudicca to Barbara Castle, is an absorbing record of female achievement spanning some 2,000 years of British life. Most of the lives included are those of women whose work took them in some way before the public and who therefore played a direct and important role in broadening the horizons of women. Also included are women who influenced events in a more indirect way: the wives of kings and politicians, mistresses, ladies in waiting and society hostesses. Originally published as The Europa Biographical Dictionary of British Women, this newly re-worked edition includes key figures who have died in the last 20 years, such as The Queen Mother, Baroness Ryder of Warsaw, Elizabeth Jennings and Christina Foyle.

This work covers the history of Great Britain and Ireland from the invasion of 55 BC to the latter half of the 20th century. There are over 3000 entries arranged in alphabetical order, encompassing domestic, social and political events, foreign affairs and economic developments.

Anglicanism arguably originated in 1534 when Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, which transferred papal power over the Church of England to the king. Today, approximately 550 dioceses are located around the world, not only in England, but also everywhere that the British Empire's area of influence extended. With a membership estimated at around 80 million members the Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion in the world This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Anglicanism covers the history of Anglicanism through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, concepts and institutions, rituals and liturgy, events and national communities. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Anglicanism.

New England, the most clearly defined region in the United States, includes the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. First colonized by the French in 1604 and the British in 1607, the New England colonies were the first to secede from the British Empire and were among the first states admitted to the union. No region has claimed more presidents as native sons (seven) or produced more men and women of exceptional accomplishment and fame. Many Americans see New England as a touchstone for the founding ideas of the nation, and the region served as a source of inspiration for many artists and writers. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of New England contains a chronology, an introduction, appendix, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, places, institutions, and events. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about New England.