The Encyclopædia Edinensis was a six-volume general encyclopedia published in Edinburgh in 1827, and intended for a popular audience. It was edited by James Millar, who died just before it was complete.
Editorial staff
James Millar, principal editor
Jeremiah Kirby and Richard Poole, main editors and contributors. Poole wrote articles on "Mental Diseases". John Sommers, minister at Falkirk, was proprietor and also editor for the last three volumes.
Work began on the Encyclopædia in 1816. Millar edited the fourth and parted of the fifth editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica and had contributed extensively to both. His goal with the Edinensis was to create a more popular work. However, his use of a large quarto format, reminiscent of the Britannica hampered the project as duodecimal, miniature formats were then in vogue.
Phrenology
The editorial line was quite sympathetic to phrenology. According to the Phrenological Journal, Sommers approved the inclusion of the uncritical article "Phrenology". Poole in 1819 wrote for the encyclopedia an article on education, an early treatment from the point of phrenology.
Other contributors
John Adamson of Newton
Alexander Anderson, Polar Expeditions etc. George Buchanan, Astronomy and Dialling James Couper John Dick M.D., Midwifery Alexander Duncan, Miracle etc. James Flint William Galbraith, Navigation Patrick Gibson, design Rev. David Liston, Calcutta, Mechanics Henry Liston, Music Robert Macmillan Lockhart Muirhead Rev. Thomas Nelson, Religion Alexander Peterkin Rev. Dr. Russel of Leith, Magnetism and Meteorology John Sommers Walter Tod, Theology etc. John Wallace Robert Wallace.