The Century Book of Facts: A Handbook of Ready Reference, Embracing History, Biography, Government, Law, Language, Literature, Invention, Science, Industry, Finance, Religion, Art, Education, Domestic Economy, Hygiene, and Useful Miscellany

First published at the turn of the 20th century, The Century Book of Facts was compiled and edited by Henry Woldmar Ruoff during a period of immense public appetite for comprehensive self-education. Designed as a singular, accessible library for the household, the volume aimed to consolidate information across a staggering variety of disciplines, from government and law to domestic economy and hygiene, reflecting the era's Victorian-adjacent desire for systematic knowledge and moral improvement.

The book’s design prioritizes utility and breadth over deep scholarship, functioning as an encyclopedic reference for the American middle class. Ruoff structured the text to provide quick answers to common questions, serving as an early precursor to the modern search engine. While it was widely distributed as a practical, pedagogical tool for families, it is now primarily valued by collectors as a window into the intellectual and cultural priorities of the early 1900s.