"Reprinted from the edition originally titled 'A Dictionary of Christian biography and literature', published by John Murray, London, 1911."--T.p. verso.

Founded on "the Dictionary of Christian biography, literature, sects, and doctrines, published under the editorship of Dr. Wace and the late Dr. Wm. Smith ... in four large volumes"; the "articles on the great characters of early church history and literature" having been retained "with no material abbreviation."--Pref.

A remarkably comprehensive work, this volume evolved from the distinguished four-volume Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature. For anyone serious about the early church and the people who made indelible marks in its story, this is a fundamental resource. Features reliable sketches of major Christian personalities of the first six centuries; Analyzes the documents, creeds, and literature of the early church and its opponents; Describes the principal sects and heretics of early Christianity, including discussions of the theological tendencies of these opponents; Covers more than 600 years of church history in one convenient volume. - Publisher.