# Marginalia [[2023-08-05]] Define marginalia. > [!ai]+ AI > > Marginalia refers to the notes, comments, or doodles made in the margins of a book or other written document. These marginal notes can be made by either the author or a reader and often serve to provide additional insight, thoughts, or personal reactions to the content. What are some famous examples of marginalia? > [!ai]+ AI > > 1. Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Known as a poet and philosopher, Coleridge was also famous for his marginalia. His annotations were so extensive and insightful that they were later compiled into a multi-volume work called "Marginalia." > 2. Edgar Allan Poe: Poe's notes in the margins of his books often included critiques of other authors' works, which he would later publish. > 3. John Adams: The second U.S. president was known for writing extensive notes in the margins of his books, which are now housed at the Boston Public Library. > 4. Sir Isaac Newton: His annotated copy of physicist David Gregory's "Elements of Astronomy" - filled with handwritten notes in the margins - offers insights into Newton’s thought process. > 5. Mark Twain: Twain was an active margin writer, often filling his books with comments, corrections and observations. > 6. Voltaire: The French philosopher is known to have filled the margins of his books with notes and comments. > 7. Sylvia Plath: The famous poet made numerous annotations on her personal copy of "The Great Gatsby," offering valuable insight into her thoughts and interpretations. > 8. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: It is said that Goethe often wrote extensive marginalia in books he reviewed, sometimes even writing more in his notes than was present in the original text itself. > 9. Herman Melville: His marginalia provide a window into how he engaged with other writers and texts, including those by Shakespeare and Milton that influenced his novel Moby-Dick. > 10. David Foster Wallace: The author’s annotated self-help book collection has been studied extensively for insights into Wallace's own struggles and influences on his writing. > Remember that while these are some famous examples, many people annotate or make margin notes in their personal readings for better understanding or future reference. ## See also - [[ZK - Writing in a book is communicating with its author]] - [[ZK - Write In The Margin Of Your Books]] - [[BOOK - Mindhacker - Ron Hale-Evans, Marty Hale-Evans]] - [[BOOK - Marginalia - H. J. Jackson]] - [[BOOK - How to make a complete map of every thought you think - Lion Kimbro]]