description Encyclopedia.com Overview
Encyclopedia.com is a digital reference platform that aggregates entries from approximately 200 published encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs. Originally launched by Infonautics in 1998, the website operates as a free-to-use resource, pulling its verified content from established print sources to offer reliable historical and scientific data. It provides researchers, students, and general readers with cross-referenced articles on a wide array of topics, complete with citations and bibliographies.
The platform is currently associated with the Gale publishing group.
help Encyclopedia.com FAQ
Who owns Encyclopedia.com and where do its articles come from?
Encyclopedia.com is currently owned by Gale, a major educational publishing company. Instead of using user-generated content, it aggregates its entries from trusted, published reference works and digital archives. This ensures that the information provided is sourced from authoritative dictionaries, encyclopedias, and academic almanacs.
When was Encyclopedia.com originally launched?
The website was originally launched in 1998 by a company called Infonautics. It was created as a digital extension of the reference materials available to students during the early days of the consumer internet. Gale later took over the platform, maintaining it as a free, easily accessible research tool.
Is Encyclopedia.com considered a reliable source for academic research?
Because Encyclopedia.com pulls its information from published reference works rather than anonymous user edits, it is generally considered more reliable than open wikis. The site provides full citations for its aggregated articles, pointing directly to the original dictionary or encyclopedia source, such as the Columbia Encyclopedia. However, students are still usually encouraged to cite the original Gale reference work rather than the website itself.
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