Britannica

Britannica, formally Encyclopædia Britannica, is a general knowledge encyclopedia and one of the most longstanding reference works in the English language. Established in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768 by Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell, the work began as a multi-volume encyclopedia intended for artisans and educated readers. Early editors included physician and linguist William Smellie; the first edition appeared between 1768 and 1771. Because of its success, a separate American edition was begun in the late 18th century and contributed to its global reach.

The 11th edition, published in 1910–1911, is considered a landmark for its comprehensive coverage and scholarly tone. With the 20th century came modernization and expansion of topics. In the 1950s Britannica introduced a three-part structure: the Micropædia, Macropædia, and Propædia. In 2012, Britannica ceased its print edition and shifted to a primarily digital format.

Britannica Online, launched in 1994, offers professionally edited articles, images, and reference tools accessible by subscription; it also operates Britannica Kids for younger readers and educational products for schools. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., the publisher, is headquartered in Chicago. Editorially, articles are written and reviewed by subject-matter experts and editors, with many articles signed by their contributors. Britannica's influence on scholarship and education remains notable, though it now faces competition from other online encyclopedias and crowd-sourced platforms.