It would be incorrect, for the sake of economy, to omit the definite article in this, as it somewhat alters the sense. At times it can be left out without any risk of changing the meaning, as in the book on trades unions below. Some cataloguers make a feature of giving the Christian name in full in subordinate entries if the author is a woman.
| Socialism: | |
| Webb, S. Socialism in England. 1901 335.1 | |
Trades Unions: | |
| Webb, S., &c. History of trade unionism. | |
| 1894 | 331.88 |
A reference is needed to assist towards that coordination between the subject-entries of a catalogue serving to bring its related parts together, and is helpful by way of suggestion to the inquirer when using it.
Labour:
See also Trades Unions.
There can be no objection in the above instance, or in those of Mrs. Humphry Ward and other ladies well known and commonly spoken of by their husband's names, to giving, if desired, the entries under those names, provided the usual references are furnished.
Webb, Beatrice. See Webb, Mrs. Sidney.
Ward, Mary A. See Ward, Mrs. Humphry.
It would, however, be possible to dispense with the references altogether, if only a comparatively small number of entries under Webb or Ward appear in the catalogue.
To show the difficulty experienced by cataloguers in keeping pace with ladies who change their names by marriage, it may be mentioned that even a well-known author like the late Lady Dilke, who was Mrs. Mark Pattison, can be found in good catalogues placed accidentally under both names. On the other hand it is as well to be quite sure when following up the changed names of women authors. The London Library and some lesser catalogues have confused Anne Manning and Mrs. A. M. Rathbone, with the result that books are amalgamated erroneously under one name though written by different persons. In other catalogues of minor importance "George Eliot" has figured as Mrs. G. H. Lewes and Marie Corelli as Marion Mackay.
Although recommended by some rules, there is no real necessity for giving references from the married names of writers of the importance of "George Eliot" or Charlotte Brontë, as it is improbable that anyone would refer to "Cross" or "Nicholls" for these authors.