The Venns (father and son) published this ten-part work, containing over 125,000 entries, between 1922 and 1954. It is a comprehensive directory of all known alumni of the University of Cambridge, listed in two alphabetical sequences, from the university's foundation in the thirteenth century to 1751 and from 1752 to 1900. John Venn senior (1834–1923) is best known for his work as a philosopher and logician, but contributed to his university in many other ways. His keen interests in genealogy and antiquarian studies inspired this study, researched from sources including episcopal registers. His son, John Archibald Venn (1883–1958) brought the work to completion after his father's death. Thorough and reliable, it is recognised for its extraordinary value to historians and genealogists. Volume 1, Part 4 (1927) covers 'Saal to Zuinglius', and includes figures such as the statesman, poet and playwright Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset.
