Book of Knowledge

{{Short description|1912 American children's encyclopedia}}

{{confused|body of knowledge}}

{{Infobox book

| language = English

| country = United States

| followed_by = New Book of Knowledge

| pub_date = 1912

}}

The Book of Knowledge was an encyclopedia aimed at juveniles first published in 1912, by the Grolier Society.

Originally largely a reprint of the British Children's Encyclopædia with revisions related to the United States by Holland Thompson, over time the encyclopedia evolved into a new entity entirely. It was published under a policy of continuous revision, meaning that there were no separate editions, but annual printings that were edited and updated by the publisher. Thompson remained editor until his death in 1940. From 1941 to 1960, it was edited by Ellen V. McLaughlin and from 1960 to 1966 by John D. Tedford. In 1966, it was replaced by the New Book of Knowledge.Walsh, S. Padraig, 1922- Anglo-American general encyclopedias: a historical bibliography, 1703–1967 New York : Bowker, p. 14

The number of volumes fluctuated. It was originally a 24 volume set, but other print runs had 10, 12 or 20.;Walsh p.14 In 1919, the Book of Knowledge was presented in a 20 volume set, as shown in the image above, [https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91iuCvVP2EL.jpg as was 1951.]{{Cite book|url = https://www.amazon.com/Complete-1952-Book-Knowledge-School-Subject/dp/B003U7NSHM|title = Complete Set 1952 Book of Knowledge - the Children's Encyclopedia. 20 Volumes in 10 Leather Hardcover Books. Plus School-Subject Guide, Graded Courses of Study, Master Keys, and Character Education Guide. All keyed to the 1952 Edition printing|date = January 1952|publisher = The Grolier Society, New York|access-date = 2019-09-19|archive-date = 2022-11-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221105004500/https://www.amazon.com/Complete-1952-Book-Knowledge-School-Subject/dp/B003U7NSHM|url-status = live}} From 1949, Grolier also issued a Book of Knowledge Annual.Robert Collison Encyclopedias: their history throughout the ages 2nd ed. New York and London; Haffner Publishing Company 1966 p.298

Encyclopædia Britannica praised the index system that was introduced by the Book of Knowledge saying "much of the success of the work as a reference tool resulted from its splendidly contrived index, which remains a model of its kind.".{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/encyclopaedia/The-kinds-of-encyclopaedias#ref307541|title=Encyclopaedia - the kinds of encyclopaedias | Britannica|access-date=2020-02-05|archive-date=2020-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601075343/https://www.britannica.com/topic/encyclopaedia/The-kinds-of-encyclopaedias#ref307541|url-status=live}} The Book of Knowledge also included a different index for poetry.