Synopses & Reviews
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints gives concise accounts of nearly 1100 saints who lived, died, or have been venerated in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as others of notable historical importance from around the world. The entries range from the famous to the obscure, from the great saints of early Christendom to often forgotten local saints. The new edition includes entries on martyrs from the early Christian centuries, additional entries on Greek and Russian saints, and recently canonized modern saints. An introduction describes the tradition of English hagiography and traces the history of saints' cults from earliest Christian times through the Middle Ages to the reform of the Roman calendar in 1969. Bibliographies are provided and a topographical index lists places in Great Britain and Ireland with which saints are associated. Also included are a calendar of principal feasts and indexes of iconographical emblems.
Review
Praise for previous editions:
"This edlightful array of the good and the incredible is the sort of thing that gives hagiography a good name."--The Times (London)
"Even those who do not believe in saints...will be able to enjoy and to profit from this splendid book."--The Economist
"An essential reference work for anyone interested in the subject."--The Daily Telegraph
"Excellent and readable....A holy dip that's much more pleasant than baptism."--The Guardian
Synopsis
From the famous to the obscure, this new edition of the immensely popular
Oxford Dictionary of Saints provides concise, readable accounts of the lives of over 1,300 saints, more than any similar guide. In addition to the biographical sketches, information on the cults and artistic associations of particular saints is also given full coverage.
Fully revised and updated for this new edition, this handy resource also includes new entries on a number of recently canonized saints as well as a new appendix on patronages. The inclusion of more saints from Europe confirms the dictionary's reputation as the standard one-volume work available in English. A book to be dipped into again and again, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints will intrigue anyone who delights in stories of the marvelous, the uncanny, and the bizarre.
About the Author
About the Author - David Hugh Farmer retired as Reader in History at Reading University in 1988. His books include Magna Vita Sancti Hugonis: The Life of St Hugh of Lincoln by Adam of Eynsham, which he edited with Decima L. Douie for the Oxford Medieval Texts series.
Table of Contents
Introduction; Abbreviations; SAINTS; Appendices; Index of Places; Calendar of Feasts.
New saints include: more Scottish and Irish saints, and ancient Welsh saints; more European saints from all centuries, as well as more saints from Eastern Europe; more recently canonized saints, e.g. Mary Mackillop of Australia, Raphaela Ayllon, and Leopold Mandic.