Misinforming a Nation/Chapter 12

XII

TWO HUNDRED OMISSIONS

following list contains two hundred of the many hundreds of writers, painters, musicians and scientists who are denied biographies in the Britannica. There is not a name here which should not be in an encyclopædia which claims for itself the completeness which the Britannica claims. Many of the names stand in the forefront of modern culture. Their omission is nothing short of preposterous, and can be accounted for only on the grounds of ignorance or prejudice. In either case, they render the encyclopædia inadequate as an up-to-date and comprehensive reference work.

It will be noted that not one of these names is English, and that America has suffered from neglect in a most outrageous fashion. After reading the flamboyant statements made in the Encyclopædia Britannica's advertising, glance down this list. Then decide for yourself whether or not the statements are accurate.

Objection may be raised to some of the following names on the ground that they are not of sufficient importance to be included in an encyclopædia, and that their omission cannot be held to the discredit of the Britannica. In answer let me state that for every name listed here as being denied a biography, there are one or two, and, in the majority of cases, many, Englishmen in the same field who are admittedly inferior and yet who are given detailed and generally laudatory biographies.