University of Oxford, 1500-1886

Alumni Oxonienses is the standard, but surprisingly scarce, biographical dictionary of all students who attended Oxford University between 1500 and 1886. Invaluable to the historian or genealogist, it is often the only source of information available on many lesser-known writers and thinkers - figures whose lifetime achievements it would otherwise be almost impossible to discover. Containing thousands of famous and obscure people over a 400-year period, the work is divided into two sections (1500-1714 and 1715-1886), with each period arranged alphabetically by surname. Largely based on transcriptions of information from such sources as the Oxford Matriculation Register, it includes details of parentage, birthplace, date of birth, a record of academic achievements, positions held, honours and date of death. There are also cross-references to other works, such as obituaries and bibliographies, enabling the researcher to pursue further lines of enquiry. The large majority of the educated population of Britain pre-1800 attended either Oxford or Cambridge, before becoming theologians, lawyers, politicians, doctors, scientists, civil servants, and so on. Alumni Oxonienses is therefore the central source for information on many of the country's most important figures and is cited in most biographical dictionaries whether they be theological, legal, political or philosophical. Regarded as unique and highly accurate, this essential reference source should be available to all historical and biographical researchers. --unique, accurate and unsurpassed genealogical database for thousands of famous and lesser-known British people from the Middle Ages up until Victorian times --extremely sought-after work; largely unavailable, even in many major libraries --essential for librarians and genealogical researchFoster, Joseph is the author of 'University of Oxford, 1500-1886' with ISBN 9781855068438 and ISBN 1855068435.