Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Châtelet" to "Chicago" / Volume 6, Slice 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

31156

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Châtelet" to "Chicago" / Volume 6, Slice 1

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents encyclopedic entries on geography, history, and biography, ranging from French fortifications to American industrial cities. The tone is authoritative and educational, offering a comprehensive snapshot of global knowledge and historical events.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume VI, Slice 1 of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica presents a diverse array of entries spanning geography, history, and biography. The volume begins with detailed accounts of French locations, such as the Châtelet, a historic defensive building and court in Paris, and Châtellerault, a town in western France known for its cutlery and small-arms manufacturing. It also covers English figures like William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham, a prominent statesman whose eloquence and political career significantly influenced British history during the mid-18th century. The text provides concise overviews of ancient German tribes, including the Cherusci, who famously revolted against Roman rule under Arminius, and scientific advancements by William Cheselden, an English surgeon renowned for his lateral operation for stone and pioneering work in ophthalmic surgery. A significant portion of the volume is dedicated to American history, specifically focusing on Chicago. The entry details the city's rapid growth following the federal improvement of its harbor and the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. It recounts the devastating Great Fire of 1871, which destroyed two-thirds of the city's wooden buildings and left 100,000 people homeless, yet notes the city's remarkable recovery and rebuilding with brick and stone. The text also highlights Chicago's role as a commercial center and a storm center for labor troubles, detailing major strikes in the packing industry and the railway strike of 1894 led by Eugene Victor Debs. Furthermore, it describes the tragic events of the Haymarket affair in 1886, where anarchists were condemned for the bombing of a police dispersal of a meeting, and the subsequent pardon of three of the convicted by Governor Altgeld. The volume also commemorates the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1892 to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. This artistic and educational triumph featured remarkable buildings designed by architects like John W. Root and Daniel H. Burnham, set within grounds planned by Frederick Law Olmsted. The exposition attracted millions of visitors and served as a testament to the city's enterprise and wealth. Additionally, the text covers various other topics, including the geological composition of Cheshire, the history of the Cherusci, and the works of French historian Pierre Adolphe Chéruel, providing a comprehensive reference for general information on arts, sciences, and literature.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries