Press Release

BRITANNICA SALUTES TODAY'S STARS
Encyclopaedia Britannica revised for a new age

Sunday 17 March 2002

Queen of Pop, Madonna, today joins the ranks of icons Einstein, Freud and Joan of Arc in the newly revised Encyclopaedia Britannica.

The material girl who shot to fame in the early 80s, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and film director Spike Lee join a variety of significant 20th century figures making their first appearance in the 2002 printing of the Britannica.

Britain's creative talent, both old and new, is especially recognized by the 234-year-old encyclopedia. Martin Amis and poet laureate Andrew Motion make their debuts in the new revision, while thespians such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Judi Dench and Peter Sellers grace the scholastic screen for the first time.

The introduction of popular culture and modern day icons are combined with the traditional scholarly treatments for which Britannica is renowned, reinforcing the encyclopedia's reputation as the world's most trusted and comprehensive source of knowledge.

Encyclopaedia Britannica 2002 - the first revision since 1998 - includes more than 350 new subject additions such as hip-hop, feminism, lesbianism, and Ecstasy as well as 8,000 updated articles.

In addition, leading academics from a range of different fields have contributed to the new revision. Michael Berenbaum, former director of the Holocaust Research Institute at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, reflects on recent advances in Holocaust Studies, while articles on subjects including genetics, artificial intelligence, human evolution and Buddhism have been updated as a result of recent research.

Sections of the encyclopedia were even revised in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Though the set was on the presses at the time, printing was halted to incorporate the events into articles on New York City, Terrorism, The World Trade Center and The Pentagon.

Christine Hodgson, Direct Marketing Manager of Encyclopaedia Britannica said, “This new revision of Britannica reinforces our reputation for having the most thoughtful, well-researched and intelligent articles available for those interested in the world around them.

“Encyclopaedia Britannica remains entirely in tune with the world today. For example, the growing interest in popular culture among scholars has prompted us to devote more coverage than ever to the modern-day icons of pop. At the same time, we continue to cover traditional subjects with the same scholarly excellence for which Britannica has long been known.”

The Encyclopaedia Britannica is the oldest continuously published reference work in the English language and has been in print without interruption since 1768.

Other notable additions to the Encyclopaedia Britannica 2002 include: Sean Connery, David Trimble, Pete Sampras, Vladimir Putin, Annie Leibovitz and George W. Bush.

For further information about Encyclopaedia Britannica visit www.britannica.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. The 2002 printing of the Encyclopaedia Britannica is available at leading retailers, and will RRP at £995.

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. publishes the most authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia products in the English language as well as encyclopedias in a number of other languages. The Encyclopaedia Britannica database forms the cornerstone of several products. Those products include Britannica.com (www.britannica.com), Britannica Online (www.eb.com), Britannica CD and Britannica DVD. The companies' headquarters are in Chicago.

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Contact:

Alice Lythgoe-Goldstein Band & Brown Communications +44 (0)207 419 7320 alice@bbpr.com