Cyclopedia of Western Australia

The Cyclopedia of Western Australia, edited by James Battye, was the pre-eminent written summary of Western Australia's development and context prior to World War I.

Frontispiece of Volume 1

Review of progress

It was created at a time that saw progress, and was subtitled:

An historical and commercial review
Descriptive and biographical facts figures and illustrations

An Epitome of Progress

Contemporary reviews before and after publication reflected this sense.^[1][2][3] A similar review of the state of Western Australia appeared in publications at the centenary of the state in 1929.^[4]

Publication details

Several editions have been produced.

• James Battye, ed. (1912–1913). The Cyclopedia of Western Australia: an historical and commercial review, descriptive and biographical facts figures and illustrations: an epitome of progress (1st ed.). Adelaide: Hussey and Gillingham. OCLC 220346033. Wikidata Q131576638.
  • James Battye, ed. (1912). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Vol. 1. Adelaide: Hussey and Gillingham. OCLC 758407223. Wikidata Q125962577.
  • James Battye, ed. (1913). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Vol. 2. Adelaide: Hussey and Gillingham. OCLC 865820752. Wikidata Q125962586.
• James Battye, ed. (1985). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Carlisle: Hesperian Press. ISBN 0-85905-072-6. OCLC 216482115. OL 11654806M. Wikidata Q125966848.
  • James Battye, ed. (1985). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Vol. 1. Carlisle: Hesperian Press. ISBN 0-85905-073-4. Wikidata Q125967197.
  • James Battye, ed. (1985). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Vol. 2. Carlisle: Hesperian Press. ISBN 0-85905-074-2. Wikidata Q125967198.
• J. S. Battye., ed. (2007). Cyclopedia of Western Australia. Modbury: Archive CD Books Australia. ISBN 978-1-921081-38-5. OCLC 174095106. Wikidata Q125999346.

Content

Volume 1

Aboriginals,^[5] Agriculture, Biographies, Commerce and Industry, Fauna and Flora, Geology, Government, History of Western Australia, Immigration, Tourism, Lands department, Medical, Fremantle, Perth, Police, The Press, Public services, Railways, Trans-Australian Railway, Shipping, Suburban Municipalities, Telegraph and Telephone, Trade and Customs, Woods and Forests.

Volume 2

Agriculture, Churches and Ecclesiastical, Caves of WA, Mining, Hospitals, Schools and Education, Country Districts, Cities and suburbs, Dairying, Farming, Institutions, Explorers and exploration, Political parties, Pearling, Biographical index, Sporting and recreation.

See also

• Australian Dictionary of Biography
• Dictionary of Australian Biography
• Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia
• J S Battye Library
• Western Australia Post Office Directory
• State Records Office of Western Australia