Wikipedia:WikiProject Missing encyclopedic articles/DNB scans

This page belongs to the "missing articles" project based on the Dictionary of National Biography (DNB). Summary of this page: the DNB project is not in the fortunate position of projects such as the EB 1911 of having the text freely available. This is a reference page explaining where the resources are for quarrying out articles, if Wikisource (first port of call) does not yet have them.

Finding text[edit]

Text from the DNB is quite widely available, but (unfortunately for the project), in a patchy way. It is not yet conveniently in one place, though the Wikisource DNB project will eventually take care of that. There is a choice of djvu images, plain text scans and PDFs. Some whole articles are certainly online, in a sporadic way; and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) online version comes with the "old" version. Note that this "old" version may be a revision c.1930, and not the original, and so may not be public domain. The safe way is always to reconstruct the original over at Wikisource, whatever you start with, and then import here.

There are (at least) two main sources of DNB on the web:

The Oxford DNB website provides the DNB entry for all ONDB entries which originally were in the DNB. The link to the DNB entry is found to the left of the ONDB entry, under the link " DNB archive". (You must be logged into the ODNB to see the full content. Members of UK libraries almost invariably can log in using their library membership.)^[1]

Page scans at Wikisource.

Page scans at Wikisource[edit]

All 63 volumes of the original DNB are available at Wikisource. They are currently available as page images (pictures) and often as OCR editable text. Each scan index page points to the web source at Archive.org (or elsewhere), where other OCR software may have been more successful in converting the pages. Navigate to the Wikisource DNB main page, and thence to the appropriate volume page. Each volume page has an "access to sources" link that provides some guidance.

Scans of the text[edit]

There are over 100 URLs relevant to downloading scans of the DNB, apparently from three main sources (Google = G, Toronto, Hyderabad). The scans are highly variable in quality (not kidding about that). Multiple sources for a text are therefore very useful. As a rule of thumb Toronto scans are superior to Google scans.

The links are to archive.org pages offering plain text, PDF and other options, and to Wikisource index pages.

1885

1. Abbadie-Anne [1] [2] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 1 Abbadie - Anne
2. Annesley-Baird (G) [3] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 2 Annesley - Baird
3. Baker-Beadon [4][5] [6]s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 3 Baker - Beadon
4. Beal-Biber [7] [8] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 4 Beal - Biber

1886

5. Bicheno-Bottisham [9] [10] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 5 Bicheno - Bottisham
6. Bottomley-Browell [11] [12] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 6 Bottomley - Browell
7. Brown-Burthogge [13] [14] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 7 Brown - Burthogge
8 Burton-Cantwell [15] [16] [17] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 8 Burton - Cantwell

1887

9. Canute-Chaloner [18] [19] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 9 Canute - Chaloner
10. Chamber-Clarkson [20] [21] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 10 Chamber - Clarkson
11. Clater-Condell [22] [23] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 11 Clater - Condell
12. Conder-Craigie [24] [25] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 12 Condor - Craigie

1888

13. Craik-Damer [26] [27] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 13 Craik - Damer
14. Damon-D'Eyncourt [28] [29] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 14 Damon - D'Eyncourt
15. Diamond-Drake [30] [31] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 15 Diamond - Drake
16. Drant-Edridge [32] [33] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 16 Drant - Edridge

1889

17. Edward-Erskine [34] [35] (O, broken) [36] (H) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 17 Edward - Erskine
18. Esdaile-Finan [37] [38] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 18 Esdaile - Finan
19. Finch-Forman [39] [40] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 19 Finch - Forman
20. Forrest-Garner [41] [42] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 20 Forrest - Garner

1890

21. Garnett-Gloucester [43] [44] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 21 Garnett - Gloucester
22. Glover-Gravet (G) [45] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 22 Glover - Gravet
23. Gray-Haighton [46] [47] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 23 Gray - Haighton
24. Hailes-Harriott [48] [49] (misleading data) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 24 Hailes - Harriott

1891

25. Harris-Henry I [50] ([51] is vol. 24) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 25 Harris - Henry I
26. Henry II-Hindley [52] [53] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 26 Henry II - Hindley
27. Hindmarsh-Hovenden [54] [55] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 27 Hindmarsh - Hovenden
28. Howard-Inglethorp [56] [57] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 28 Howard - Inglethorpe

1892

29. Inglis-John [58] [59] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 29 Inglish - John
30. Johnes-Kenneth [60] [61] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 30 Johnes - Kenneth
31. Kennett-Lambart [62] [63] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 31 Kennett - Lambart
32. Lambe-Leigh [64] [65] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 32 Lambe - Leigh

1893

33. Leighton-Lluelyn [66] [67] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 33 Leighton - Lluelyn
34. Llwyd-Maccartney [68] [69] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 34 Llywd - MacCartney
35. MacCarwell-Maltby [70] [71] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 35 MacCarwell - Maltby
36. Malthus-Mason [72] [73] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 36 Malthus - Mason

1894

37. Masquerier-Millyng (G) [74] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 37 Masquerier - Millyng
38. Milman-More [75] [76] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 38 Milman - More
39. Morehead-Myles [77] [78] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 39 Morehead - Myles
40. Myllar-Nicholls [79] [80] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 40 Myllar - Nicholls

1895

41. Nichols-O'Dugan [81] [82] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 41 Nichols - O'Dugan
42. O'Duinn-Owen [83] [84] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 42 O'Duinn - Owen
43. Owens-Passelewe [85] [86] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 43 Owens - Passelewe
44. Paston-Percy [87] [88] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 44 Paston - Percy

1896

45. Pereira-Pockrich (G) [89] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 45 Pereira - Pockrich
46. Pocock-Puckering [90] [91] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 46 Pocock - Puckering
47. Puckle-Reidfurd [92] [93] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 47 Puckle - Reidfurd
48. Reilly-Robins [94] [95] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 48 Reilly - Robins

1897

49. Robinson-Russell [96] [97] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 49 Robinson - Russell
50. Russen-Scobell [98] [99] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 50 Russen - Scobell
51. Scoffin-Sheares [100] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 51 Scoffin - Sheares
52. Shearman-Smirke [101] [102] (broken) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 52 Shearman - Smirke

1898

53. Smith-Stanger [103] [104] (O, broken) [105] (H) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 53 Smith - Stanger
54. Stanhope-Stovin [106] [107] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 54 Stanhope - Stovin
55. Stow-Taylor [108] [109] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 55 Stow - Taylor
56. Teach-Tollet [110] [111] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 56 Teach - Tollet

1899

57. Tom-Tytler [112] [113] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 57 Tom - Tytler
58. Ubaldini-Wakefield [114] [115] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 58 Ubaldini - Wakefield
59. Wakeman-Watkins [116][117] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 59 Wakeman - Watkins
60. Watson-Whewell [118] [119] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 60 Watson - Whewell

1900

61 Whichcord-Williams [120] [121] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 61 Whichcord - Williams
62. Williamson-Worden [122] [123] (O, broken)[124] (H) s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 62 Williamson - Worden
63. Wordsworth-Zuylestein [125] [126] s:Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Vol 63 Wordsworth - Zuylestein

1901

Supplement vol. I [127]
Supplement vol. II [128]
Supplement vol. III [129]

1904

http://www.archive.org/details/dictionarynatio22stepgoog

Errata [130]

Google Books[edit]

In addition, Google Book Search provides volumes, but seems to limit the availability of the full view book to US web users.

Volume	Names
1	Abbadie - Anne Not Available
2	Annesley - Baird
3	Baker - Beadon
4	Beal - Biber
5	Bicheno - Bottasham
6	Bottomley - Browell
7	Brown - Burthogge
8	Burton - Cantwell
9	Canute - Chaloner Not Available
10	Chamber - Clarkson Not Available
11	Clater - Condell
12	Condor - Craigie
13	Craik - Damer
14	Damon - D'Eyncourt
15	Diamond - Drake
16	Drant - Edridge
17	Edward - Erskine (poor OCR scan)
18	Esdale - Finan Not Available
19	Finch - Forman
20	Forrest - Garner
21	Garnett - Gloucester
22	Glover - Gravet
23	Gray - Haighton
24	Hailes - Harriott
25	Harris - Henry I
26	Henry II - Hindley Not Available
27	Hindmarsh - Hovenden Not Available
28	Howard - Inglethorpe
29	Inglish - John
30	Johnes - Kenneth Not Available
31	Kennett - Lambert Not Available
32	Lambe - Leigh
33	Leichton - Lluelyn Not Available
34	Llywd - MacCartney Not Available
35	MacCarwell - Maltby Not Available
36	Malthus - Mason
37	Masquerier - Millyng
38	Milman - More
39	Morehead - Myles
40	Mylar - Nicholls
41	Nichols - O'Dugan
42	O'Duinn - Owen Not Available
43	Owens - Passelene
44	Paston - Percy
45	Pereira - Pockrich
46	Pocock - Puckering
47	Puckle - Reidfurd
48	Reilly - Robins
49	Robinson - Russell
50	Russen - Scobell
51	Scoffin - Sheares ~~Not Available~~
52	Shearman - Smirke Not Available
53	Smith - Stanger ~~Not Available~~
54	Stanhope - Stovin
55	Stow - Taylor
56	Teach - Tollet
57	Tom - Tytler
58	Ubaldini - Wakefield
59	Wakeman - Watkins
60	Watson - Whewell
61	Whichcord - Williams
62	Williamson - Worden
63	Wordsworth - Zuylestein
1904	Errata
	first supplement, vol. 1
	first supplement, vol. 2
	first supplement, vol. 3
1901-1911	second supplement, vol. 1,
1901-1911	second supplement, vol. 2
1912-1921	third supplement not available
1922-1930	fourth supplement
1931-1940	fifth supplement

Notes[edit]

^ While this is going to be a useful starting point, there is the snag that editorial changes between the first edition of the DNB and the version posted there may mean that this text is not really public domain. You can't know what the position is without checking against the original.

[1] While this is going to be a useful starting point, there is the snag that editorial changes between the first edition of the DNB and the version posted there may mean that this text is not really public domain. You can't know what the position is without checking against the original.

[1]