Dictionary of National Biography at Sarum Library.
Dr Tim Macquiban & Dr Vivienne Larminie Principal, Sarum College & Project Research Editor

75 people came to Sarum College on Saturday Nov.13th 2004 for the local launch of the new edition of the Dictionary of National Biography. Many were contributors themselves, others were historians, librarians and archivists and other interested people, from as far afield as Gloucestershire.

The audience poured over the 60 volumes, made up of 62 million words, looking for the articles they had written, articles about their relatives, or just to see if it contained anyone who shared their name. They then heard two interesting talks, one by Dr Vivienne Larminie, Research editor of the project, and one by Sarum College's Principal, Dr. Tim Macquiban, himself a contributor.

Anyone (no longer living) who has left a mark on the history of the British Isles is likely to be in this remarkable update of a standard work. Sarum College is delighted to have received a copy of the dictionary for the reference shelves of its library, due to a very generous donation.

Full details (and some remarkable statistics) of the Dictionary of National Biography can be obtained on-line from www.oup.com including details of the online subscription. When you have seen how much this is, you will realise what a jolly good bargain you can have by joining the College Library for £25 when you can peruse the work at your hearts content. As the dictionary consists of 60 volumes it would be very hard luck indeed if someone else was already using the volume you wanted!.