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Scholarly Bibliography
Books & Commentaries on the 1928 BCP
Publication history · Copyright status · Free download links
Introduction
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer — formally adopted by the Episcopal Church
at the General Convention of 1928 — served as the primary liturgical standard of classical
American Anglicanism until 1979 and continues in use among Continuing Anglican bodies.
This bibliography identifies ten significant books and commentaries relevant to the 1928 BCP: its
chief scholarly commentary, companion volumes, and the historical and analytical works that
informed its revision.
For each entry, the list records the publication year, author, publisher, copyright status under
U.S. law as of January 2026, and the availability of free digital downloads.
I
The Oxford American Prayer Book Commentary
Massey Hamilton Shepherd Jr.·1950·Oxford University Press, New York
In Copyright
The definitive scholarly commentary on the 1928 American BCP. Shepherd provides the full text of
the 1928 Prayer Book alongside a detailed historical, liturgical, and theological commentary on
every section. Drawing on patristic sources, Anglican tradition, and comparative liturgics, it
remains the single most authoritative reference for the 1928 rite. 1,016 pages. Out of print.
Published 1950 with copyright notice by Oxford University Press; copyright renewed. Protected for 95 years — in copyright through 31 December 2045.
II
Liturgy and Worship
W. K. Lowther Clarke (ed.), with Charles Harris·1932·SPCK, London
Public Domain
A comprehensive companion volume covering the prayer books of the entire Anglican Communion as
of 1932, including extended treatment of the 1928 American BCP. Essays by leading liturgiologists
address the history, theology, and structure of each major rite. Invaluable for comparing the
American 1928 book with contemporary English, Scottish, Irish, and colonial revisions.
Published 1932 in the UK by SPCK. Under U.S. law, foreign works published 1930–1977 that were in the public domain in their source country as of 1 January 1996 are generally public domain in the U.S. Internet Archive labels this item Out_of_copyright.
III
The Tutorial Prayer Book
Charles Neil & J. M. Willoughby (eds.)·1912·Harrison Trust, London; Musson Book Co., Toronto
Public Domain
A comprehensive scholarly commentary on the English 1662 BCP with extensive parallel comparison
of all Prayer Book editions from 1549 onward. The editors assembled specialists for each section.
Though focused on the English rite, it provides essential historical grounding for understanding
the 1928 American revision and is frequently cited in 1928 BCP studies.
Published 1912–1913. All works published before 1 January 1930 are unambiguously in the U.S. public domain as of 2026.
IV
The English Rite
Frank Edward Brightman·1921 (2nd rev. ed.)·Rivingtons, London
Public Domain
A monumental two-volume work presenting the texts of the 1549, 1552, and 1662 Books of Common
Prayer in parallel columns, with all sources identified. Brightman traces each phrase to its
patristic, medieval, or Reformation origin. Essential for understanding the literary and
theological heritage that the 1928 American compilers inherited and revised.
Published 1921 in the UK. Under the Cornell U.S. analysis, foreign works published before 1930 are public domain in the United States.
V
The Annotated Book of Common Prayer
John Henry Blunt·1866 (final ed. 1903)·Rivingtons, London
Public Domain
The standard Anglo-Catholic commentary on the 1662 BCP for generations of Anglican clergy.
Blunt provides exhaustive historical, ritual, and theological annotation of every prayer, rubric,
and office. Though focused on the 1662 English rite, it directly informs the 1928 American
revision and is cited extensively by Shepherd.
Original 1866; final revised edition 1903. Google Books confirms public-domain status in the United States. All editions pre-1930 are unambiguously public domain.
VI
A History of the Book of Common Prayer
Francis Procter; revised by W. H. Frere·1855 (rev. 1901/1907)·Macmillan, London & New York
Public Domain
The standard historical handbook on the BCP for well over a century. Procter's original work was
revised and enlarged by liturgical scholar Walter Frere of the Community of the Resurrection,
incorporating the most recent documentary scholarship of the turn of the twentieth century.
Covers the full history from the Sarum Rite through Victorian revision proposals, and was a key
reference for the 1928 American revisers.
Original 1855; Frere's revised edition published 1901 and reprinted 1907. All editions published before 1930 are in the U.S. public domain.
VII
The Prayer-Book: Its History, Language, and Contents
Evan Daniel·1877 (20th ed. 1901)·Wells Gardner, Darton & Co., London
Public Domain
A classic popular-scholarly commentary that went through twenty editions, reflecting its
enduring usefulness for clergy and educated laity. Daniel covers BCP history, language, and
content with clarity, including attention to the American BCP of 1892 in later editions.
Commended by the North American Anglican as essential background reading.
Cornell University Library notes: “There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.” Published before 1930; unambiguously public domain.
VIII
A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer
Charles Wheatly·1710 (7th ed. 1759; 19th-c. reprints)·Various publishers
Public Domain
The first great Anglican Prayer Book commentary written after the Restoration. Wheatly
synthesises Andrewes, Cosin, Sparrow, L'Estrange, Comber, and Nicholls into a comprehensive
theological and historical rationale for the 1662 rite. Long the standard reference for
Anglican liturgiology and foundational to all subsequent commentary tradition reflected in the
1928 American BCP.
First published 1710. All pre-1930 editions are in the U.S. public domain. Multiple nineteenth-century reprints freely available.
IX
Prayer Book Studies I–XVII
Episcopal Church Standing Liturgical Commission·1950–1966·Church Pension Fund, New York
Mixed · Verify
The foundational scholarly series that underpinned revision of the 1928 American BCP. Volumes
I–XIV offer exhaustive historical and liturgical analysis of every office in the 1928 book,
including Baptism, the Eucharist, the Daily Office, Occasional Offices, and the Psalter.
Massey Shepherd Jr. was a key contributor. Volumes XV–XVII address broader revision
principles. An essential companion set for serious 1928 BCP scholarship.
Each volume published with copyright notice by the Church Pension Fund, 1950–1966. Volumes 1950–1963 required renewal to remain in copyright; renewal status varies by volume and requires record-by-record verification. Treat as in copyright unless confirmed otherwise.
X
The Teacher's Prayer Book
Alfred Barry (Bishop of Sydney); American ed. adapted for 1892 BCP·1882 (Br.) / 1898 (Am.)·Eyre & Spottiswoode; Longmans, Green
Public Domain
Barry's widely used commentary was adapted for the American Episcopal context, providing
introductions, analyses, and annotations tied to the 1892 American BCP — the immediate
predecessor of 1928. It offers insight into the theological and pastoral outlook that shaped
the 1928 revision and is useful for understanding the continuity between the 1892 and 1928
editions.
British edition 1882; American edition 1898. All pre-1930 editions are in the U.S. public domain. Internet Archive notes: “no visible copyright notice … copyright renewal record could not be found.”