The Russian Revolution in The Encyclopaedia Britannica

Abstract

Widely considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for its time, the twelfth and thirteenth editions of The Encyclopaedia Britannica, supplements to the earlier eleventh edition, devote considerable space to the origins and consequences of the Russian Revolution. Incapable of maintaining the objective tone customary for works of reference, several of the contributors caught the essence of the turmoil and its impact across Europe, whether through a liberal or socialist lens. This article charts the evolution of the coverage of Russia in The Encyclopaedia Britannica and highlights how its earlier approach was overwhelmed by war and revolution as pre-war certainties were shaken and undermined.