Cyclopaedia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences

The Cyclopaedia of Ephraim Chambers is an encyclopedia. He published in London in 1728, the two-volume Cyclopædia, or, An universal dictionary of arts and sciences: Containing the definitions of the terms, and accounts of the things signify'd thereby, in the several arts, Both liberal and mechanical, and the several sciences, human and divine: the figures, kinds, properties, productions, preparations, and uses, of things natural and artificial: the rise, progress, and state of things ecclesiastical, civil, military, and commercial: with the several systems, sects, opinions, & c: among philosophers, divines, mathematicians, physicians, antiquaries, criticks, & c: the whole Intended as a course of antient and modern learning.

It is considered the first English-language encyclopedia, and as a ( presumably) first, the cross-references used. At Chambers' published three editions in his lifetime, and after his death his work was continued: The seventh edition (1753 ) was accompanied by two supplementary volumes; 1778-85 and 1786 appeared the most comprehensive edition in five volumes.

Chambers ' work at hand on John Harris ' Lexicon technicum back in 1704 and was itself inspiration for the Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, which should be only a translation and a modest expansion of the Cyclopaedia originally. Only under Denis Diderot was the well-known body of work.