Cohen was a retired man in his sixties whose intentions were to fill a "significant gap in the history of music" and to be "liberal and inclusive" with the composers he chose.

The book was written partially in response to a comment by Thomas Beecham who said, "There are no women composers, never have been and possibly never will be.

[1] During the time the encyclopedia was being worked on, a similar directory was in the process of being put together by the Arts/Letters/Music Committee of the International Council of Women.

"[2] Edward Rothstein of The New York Times wrote, "But the International Encyclopedia of Women Composers by Aaron I. Cohen, just published by R.R.

Bowker, is the first extensive reference book of interest to anyone concerned with the history of female musical composition.