A century ago it chronicled the lives of the rich and famous. But the Dictionary of National Biography was seen as a flawed work for its refusal to include certain prominent figures because of scandals in their private lives or undesirable professional behaviour.
Now, in the first fully revised edition of the DNB, people such as the spy Guy Burgess, Lord Randolph Churchill, previously ignored because of his alcoholism, and others who were shunned for being homosexual will be included.
The slogan of the DNB - founded in 1901 and open only to the dead - may have been 'all human life is there' but critics argued that it neglected an array of colourful characters because of its moral censorship. The Oxford University Press editors of the New DNB say it is time to reflect changing social attitudes.
'The original Victorian edition recognised that many people who attract attention in the historical record do so for the wrong reasons,' said Robert Faber, director of the project.
In the new edition, there is an acknowledgement for an 18th-century Oxford college head, Warden Thistlethwayte of Wadham, previously shunned for involvement in a homosexual scandal.
One of those who makes it in for the first time is George Washington - omitted when British imperialism was rampant - as part of the new policy of including candidates with links to the British Isles. Even Jack the Ripper, although never identified, will make an appearance as will Robert Maxwell and Rillington Place killer John Christie.
The DNB plans to revise all existing 36,000 articles and add 14,000 new ones over the next four years. Women will also be given greater prominence as the editors try to modernise the dictionary. Diana, Princess of Wales, will be included along with the lesser known Phyllis Pearsall who brought out the first London A-Z maps.
Pop stars, comedians, sports men and women and what the editor, Brian Harrison, calls 'non-metropolitan' people will be also feature more heavily.
Articles will also reflect the modern obsession with celebrities' personal lives. 'If it has entered the historical record, it will be included,' said Faber. The historical record is made up of everything from tabloid news reports to academic papers.
The book will also keep its references to the worthy but obscure, such as Sir Farquhar Buzzard, an Oxford doctor, and AV Dicey, a jurist.
Harrison said the new edition will appear in 2004.
