I am citing a book from 1915. The metadata says it was published in Constantinople. What does the Chicago Manual of Style say about old names?

Question

The book I am citing is Εκκλησιαστική Αλήθεια.

I am already citing another book from “İstanbul.” I do not want to be inconsistent. Yet, the city was officially known as Istanbul in 1915, so it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say it was published in Constantinople.

Answer 1

Always cite a source using the data given in the source. This is a simple rule and it always applies, without exception.

In your reference list,

• do not change names of places that have been changed in later times,
• do not give the real name of an author if the book was published under a pseudonym
• do not change the name of an author who has married and later publications appear under a different name
• do not change a publication year given in a source even if it is wrong (e.g. if the volume of a journal for a certain year was actually published at a later date, as is quite frequent; if neccessary, you may do: 1943 (published in 1944))

If for some reason it is necessary for the reader to understand these changes, you may explain them in text (e.g. Smith-Hartman (publishing as Smith, 2010) ...). But it rarely is. The sole purpose of a citation is to credit your source in a way that makes it possible for others to find that source. Not to explain historical facts.