The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature Containing an Account of Rare, Curious, and Useful Books, Published in Or Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, from the Invention of Printing: With Bibliographical and Critical Notices, Collations of the

Originally compiled by William Thomas Lowndes and published in 1834, this work stands as a cornerstone of nineteenth-century English bibliography. Henry George Bohn, a prominent publisher and bookseller, significantly revised and enlarged the text in the 1850s and 1860s. Bohn aimed to update the original entries and incorporate a vast array of new material, effectively transforming it into an essential reference tool for scholars, collectors, and librarians seeking to navigate the complex history of British printed works.

The manual was designed to serve as a comprehensive guide to rare, curious, and useful books, providing critical notices and technical collations that remain vital to bibliographical studies today. Its reputation grew through the mid-Victorian era as a reliable authority, becoming a standard fixture in private libraries and academic institutions alike. The enduring utility of Bohn's edition has led to numerous reprints, maintaining its status as a foundational text for anyone tracing the evolution of English literature from the introduction of the printing press.