Hill, Thomas E. Hill's Album of Biography and Art : containing Portraits and Pen-Sketches of Many Persons who have been and are Prominent as Religionists, Military Heroes, Inventors, Actors, Lawyers, Musicians, Artists, Poets, Sovereigns, Humorists, Orators, and Statesmen. Chicago: The Hill Standard Book Company, 1888. [11759]
Terracotta publisher's cloth decorated in black & gilt, binding a bit dull and soiled, 10 3/4 x 9 inches, light scuffing with small fraying at the corner tips. Bright red moiré end papers with some creases. 589 clean pp. plus 3 pp. adverts. Hundreds of Victorian-era illustrations. Very good. Hardcover.
Title continues: Together with Chapters relating to History, Science, and Important Work in which Prominent People have been engaged at various Periods of Time.
The contents are also something of an encyclopedia. Many of the famous people in these biographies also have an expanded section on their art, or craft, or science, or philosophy, in which their beliefs and or achievements are explained.
A popular biographical treasure, with hundreds of successful persons grouped according to their profession. Written during a time when success was celebrated and encouraged.