The encycloppaedia offers the first extensive overview of biographies of the historians of the whole GDR era. Included are all persons who taught as professors and lecturers from the founding of the GDR state in October 1949 and afterwards up to 1990. Details of the people covered have been updated past the end of the GDR. More than 1,100 biographical entries provide detailed information about their academic careers. In addition it records the qualifying texts (dissertation/habilitation) and articles in the most important history periodical of the GDR, the "Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft" (Journal of History). Besides references to necrologies, eulogies and honours, the most important official accolades are also listed.