Lexicon of persons
Personal lexicon is generally and primarily synonymous with biographical reference work . Specifically, the term is used for biographical encyclopedias that are usually published periodically and that, according to more or less strict criteria, contain selective biographical information on predominantly contemporary personalities.
The best-known such encyclopedia is the Who's Who , which was first published in 1848 by Adam Black and is dedicated to the British royal family, the high nobility, politicians, judges and officers on 250 pages. Numerous similar encyclopedias appeared in the 20th century, Who's Who appeared in various editions and publishers and also included artists, scientists and other more or less important people.
Especially when such publishing products use non-transparent criteria for inclusion in the lexicon and apparently seek to make a profit with the vanity of the biographed person , the term personal lexicon receives a negative connotation. Such products are offered, for example, by the American companies International Biographical Center and American Biographical Institute , which also trade in “titles” and fantasy certificates. In the German-speaking countries, Hübner's Who is Who from the Swiss Who is Who Verlag für Personenenzyklopädien AG has become the subject of criticism in this sense.
Further examples:
- Germany
- Who is who? - The German WHO'S WHO . Schmidt-Römhild. (approx. 30,000 entries; nomination possible, strict acceptance criteria)
- WHO'S WHO Edition EUROPEAN BUSINESS WHO'S WHO MediaMarketing GmbH. (over 20,000 current biographies of European top managers and company profiles of the respective companies in English; nomination according to current rank position)
- Who's Who Germany. The People Lexicon. (approx. 45,000 entries; nominations possible, strict acceptance criteria)
- Denmark
- Kraks Blå Bog 1910 ff.
Web links
- The deal with vanity , article by Reinhold Rühl, Süddeutsche Zeitung of November 25, 2011