bibliographer

American  

[bib-lee-og-ruh-fer] / ˌbɪb liˈɒg rə fər /

noun

1. an expert in bibliography.

2. a person who compiles bibliographies.

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Etymology

Origin of bibliographer

1650–60; < Greek bibliográph ( os ) book-writer ( see biblio-, -graph) + -er ¹

Explanation

If you’ve decided to read everything Shakespeare ever wrote, or are looking for the best books on American basketball for a research paper, you’ll appreciate that some bibliographer somewhere has probably made a list suitable for each of those two projects. A professional bibliographer makes lists of published writings, including when and where they were published and sometimes giving notes on each one. The list, called a bibliography, might be all of a certain author's works, or all the most important works on a certain topic. The Greek roots of both words are biblion, "book," and graphos, "something drawn or written." Whenever you make a list of all the resources you consulted for an essay, you’re making a bibliography and acting as an amateur bibliographer yourself.

Example Sentences

By 1968, 20 US universities were receiving materials from the growing collection, as noted by Maureen LP Patterson, a leading bibliographer of South Asian studies.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2024

The heir contacted Lucio Aquilanti, a Buenos Aires antiquarian bookseller, and a prominent Cortázar bibliographer, who confirmed the piece’s authenticity.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023

At one point, there was one “Five Roses” cookbook for every four Canadian households, said Ms. Driver, the bibliographer.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2018

Yes — at least, if it’s by that high­functioning bibliographer Mike Ashley.

From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 2016

The bibliographer, who wishes to be master of the most curious and rare editions of his works, may go from Bayle to Clement, and from Clement to Vogt.

From Bibliomania; or Book-Madness A Bibliographical Romance by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall