A Dictionary of Pseudonyms and Their Origins, With Stories of Name Changes - Hardcover

A noted toponymist and onomastician, Adrian Room is the author of over 40 reference books, including Placenames of the World. He lives in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England.

Top toponymist and onomastician Room doubled the number of entries (to 8000) in this expansive revised edition of his 1989 volume of the same name. While you can find information on pseudonyms in a number of other references, such as Gale's Contemporary Authors, this is likely your best single source. In each entry you'll find the person's given name, other pseudonyms, and background on how (and sometimes why) the pseudonym came to be. Entries cover current and historical personages ranging from King Tut and the Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman to Greta Garbo and Italian castrati who adopted the names of their patrons. Seven lively and entertaining introductory chapters examine such topics as what a name is, where names come from, and why people choose to change their nameAonce or repeatedly. The appendixes offer even more: a listing of Voltaire's and Daniel Defoe's numerous pseudonyms (178 and 198, respectively), lists of the pen names of current writers, and a list of real names often supposed to be pseudonyms. Filled with fascinating tidbits of information gleaned from copious research, this is recommended for public, research, reference, and art libraries.ACarol Spielman Lezak, General Learning Corp., Northbrook, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.