The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (Russian: Большая Советская Энциклопедия, БСЭ, Bolshaya Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya) is the largest and most comprehensive encyclopedia in Russian.

There were 3 editions. The 1st edition of 65 volumes (65,000 entries) was published during 1926–1947, the chief editor being Otto Schmidt (until 1941). The 2nd edition of 51 volumes (100,000 entries) was published in 1950–1958; chief editors: Sergei Vavilov (until 1951) and Boris Vvedenski (until 1969). The 3rd edition of 1969–1978 contains 30 volumes (100,000 entries), with about 50 million words, the chief editor being Alexander Prokhorov (since 1969).

An update of the encyclopedia removed all reference to the recently disgraced Lavrenty Beria after the death of Josef Stalin.

According to Maurice Hindus , an American writer who traveled extensively in the Soviet Union and wrote a number of books on Soviet life, the first edition of the Encyclopedia is far superior to the second edition, the second edition being biased and incomplete. For example, while in the first edition the philosopher William James is described respectfully and pragmatism is criticized, in the second edition he is characterized as "an American reactionary philosopher and psychologist, ideologue of the imperialist bourgeoisie...."

The third edition was translated into English, beginning in 1973, each volume being translated separately, so the index has to be used fully to locate specific items.

In 1957 – 1990 each year the Yearbook of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia was released, with up to date articles about the Soviet Union and all countries of the world.

The first online edition, an exact replica of text and graphics of the 3rd (so-called Red) edition, was published by Rubricon.ru in 2000.

Bibliography

• Great Soviet encyclopedia, ed. A. M. Prokhorov (New York: Macmillan, London: Collier Macmillan ,1974-1983) 31 volumes, 3 volumes of indexes. Translation of 3rd Russian edition of Bol'shaya sovetskaya entsiklopediya

External links

• The GSE with all pictures and articles on Rubricon
• Great Russian Encyclopedia online, Russian language