Author Disambiguation
How many authors?
Walter J. Spielberger is currently considered a "single author." If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author.
This entry includes…
Combine with…
What?
Q: What is this feature for/why is it necessary?
A: Because LibraryThing draws from so many different libraries, it can't enforce a single name for a given author. "Also known as"
lets LibraryThing users combine author's names easily,
so collections match up and everything runs smoothly.
Q: Can I combine with an author not suggested above?
A: Yes you can.
Q: I know an author is separate, but some miscreant, whose high-spirited japery will land him in no end of trouble, keeps combining them!
A: Yes you can.
Look up! Everything in the "Combine with..." section now has a link to "never combine." Use this feature wisely. "Marc Twain" may be idiotic, but misspelling should still be combined. "Mark Twain" and "Edward Gibbon" should not.
Q: What authors have already been slated to "never combine" with this author?
A: No authors.
Q: I am the miscreant and I'm right!
A: Take it to the Combiners group.
Q: What if the disambiguation notice is wrong?
A: Go ahead and edit it.
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