As historians evaluate the 20th century, the collapse of the European empires will no doubt be viewed as seminal events. Of all the European empires, the British empire was the most extensive and most enduring. This historical dictionary is a useful source of information on the empire from its beginnings in the 1600s to its collapse in the 20th century. Covering the entire geographical expanse of the empire, it includes entries on the colonies, the people who played a role in the empire, and the major events in the history of the empire. Covering the entire geographical expanse of the empire, the book includes entries on the colonies, the people who played a role in the empire, the wars and treaties affecting the empire, and the major events in its history. Each entry includes sources of additional information, and the work includes a selected bibliography and a comprehensive index.