Besterman and bibliography: an assessment

Abstract

Attempts an assessment of Theodore Besterman's role in the development of bibliography. His part in historical bibliography was a minor one; in various areas of enumerative work his influence was profound. His World bibliography of bibliographies, though a master- piece of enumerative work, is flawed for use by some of Besterman's theories of bibliography. It is suggested that to maintain and increase its usefulness, revision should be by subject experts and include those significant bibliographies hitherto excluded by Besterman's terms of reference.