It was edited by Rossiter Johnson with the copyright, 1904, by The Biographical Society, Plimpton Press, Printers and Binders, Norwood, Massachusetts, United States.

[3] It contains "brief biographies of authors, administrators, clergymen, editors, engineers, jurists, merchants, officials, philanthropists, scientists, statesmen, and others who are making history".

[4] Rossiter Johnson wrote on December 24, 1903, in the preface of the biographical dictionary: Recently every volume has undergone revision, to bring down to the present year every article that needed alteration or addition.

In a certain memorable year of our history the two great parties made their nominations for the presidency, and in an admirable and extensive work of reference, just completed, neither of the candidates was mentioned.

With due allowance for such unavoidable occurrences, it is believed that these volumes will be found to contain the full story of the life of every subject, at least to a late date in 1903.