Bach
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Bach. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JOHANN SEBASTIAN, a celebrated musician, born at Eisenach, upper Saxony, March 21, 1685. When he was 10 years old his father, who was a musician at Eisenach, died, and Bach sought the protection of an elder brother, who, dying soon after, he was again left destitute, and, to earn a livelihood, entered the choir of St. Michael's, Lüneburg, as a soprano singer. In 1703 he became court musician at Weimar, the following year organist at Arnstadt, and in 1708 court organist at Weimar. While holding this office he labored to make himself master of every branch of music. In 1717 he was made Director of Concerts, and six years afterward Director of Music and Cantor to St. Thomas' School, Leipsic, an appointment which he held to his death. About 10 years later the distinctions of kapellmeister to the Duke of Weissenfels and court composer to the King of Poland were conferred upon him. Bach, who had a son in the service of Frederick the Great, received a pressing request to visit Potsdam, on the occasion of a concert there. He went, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of that mo monarch, some of whose music he played at first sight. Bach's close studies affected his eyes, and an operation left him totally blind and hastened his death, in Leipsic, July 28, 1750. With the exception of Handel, Bach had no rival as an organist.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
bak, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750), a celebrated German musician. He was born at Eisenach. A soprano choir singer, court organist, and director of concerts at Weimar, in 1723 he became cantor to St. Thomas' School at Leipsic. Bach was a noted composer and organist. His compositions are too difficult to be popular; but in reputation and merit he has no rival unless it be Handel. Bach played before Frederick the Great at Potsdam, and was appreciated by musical circles throughout Europe. Bach was a skillful pianist. He is credited with having taught the modern method of tuning pianos, and the method of playing by which all the fingers are used. He was a beautiful singer, but lost his voice while a young man. The Bach family is decidedly musical. Ancestors and descendants of Sebastian to the number of not less than 120 have been organists in cathedrals. See Organ ; Handel 2026 Editor's Note: The entry's verdict that Bach was 'too difficult to be popular' could hardly be more dated: he is now widely regarded as the greatest composer who ever lived. Largely forgotten after his death, he was revived by Mendelssohn in 1829 — and when humanity chose music to send to the stars on the Voyager Golden Record , Bach went three times, prompting one scientist's joke that it would be 'showing off.' (Ed: BR 2026-06-15)