Biography
From Library Reference
Indexes
NOTE: These are subscription databases and require Bradley login and password for off-campus access.
Biography and Genealogy Master Index. Comprehensive index of biography dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Biography Index, Volumes 1-30. REF. Z5301 .B5
LexisNexis Academic. Provides a wide range of full-text news, business, legal, and reference information. Biographical Information is under Reference.
Literature Resource Center.Provides full-text access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analysis of authors and their works from every age and literary discipline. It covers thousands of novelists, poets, essayists, journalists and other writers. Searchable fields include: Author Name
WorldCat. This will give you lists of books and other works written by the author, as well as birth and death dates. You can also try using your author's name in a subject search.
Dissertation Abstracts. This will give you doctoral dissertations and some masters theses that the author may have done, giving you an idea of the author’s special interests and expertise. You can also use your author's name in a subject search.
Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc.
Biographical Sources on Living People
Current Biography. (1940- ) Ref CT 100 .C8 Each year covers about 170 to 200 international personalities who have recently gained prominence in their field. Essay length articles are objective and scholarly, and contain a list of biographical references and a picture of the individual. Issued monthly and culminated annually. A separate cumulative index covers 1940-1970; annual indexes cumulate from 1971. At the end of each yearly volume is an index by occupation.
International Who's Who Ref CT 120 .I5 Brief information on people of international importance. Published annually.
Who's Who Among Black Americans Ref E 185.96 W52 Contains factual data about a wide diversity of people not represented in any other single biographical source. Includes geographical and professional indexes.
Who's Who in America Ref E 633 .W56 Standard source for brief information on Americans of national prominence. Entries include name, date of birth, address, education, professional experience and publications. Supplemented by regional Who's Who (e.g., Who's Who in the Midwest). Marquis Who's Who Publications Index to All Books REF E 663 .W57 indexes all the Who's Who volumes by this publisher. Published annually.
Who's Who of American Women. (1958- ) Ref CT 3260 .W5B 1995-6 Includes women who have earned recognition through occupational stature or demonstrated ability in a particular field such as business, fine arts, science, politics, entertainment or athletics.
Who's Who of Nobel Prize Winners, 1901-1990. Ref AS 911 .N9 W53 1991 Entries include biographical information, selected publications and commentary explaining why the laureate received his/her prize, as well as a summary of other important contributions made by the individual.
Biographical Sources on Deceased People
Dictionary of American Biography. Ref E 176 .D56 Scholarly essays on people who have lived in the United States and who have made a contribution to American life. Signed articles include bibliographies. A separate index gives subject, contributor, birthplace, topic and occupation entry to the basic set, volumes 1-20. Supplements bring the set up to date; name index at the back of the most recent supplement is a cumulative guide to them all.
Dictionary of National Biography. Ref DA 28 .D47 British model on which the Dictionary of American Biography is based. Contains scholarly signed articles which include bibliographies. Basic set covers people who died before 1901; supplements bring the set up to date. Cumulative index from 1901 provided at the end of the most recent supplement.
Dictionary of National Biography: Missing Persons. Ref DA 28 .D525 Record the lives of 1,086 persons not included in the earlier editions of Dictionary of National Biography from the beginning to 1985.
Merriam-Webster's Biographic Dictionary. Ref CT 103 .M47 1995 Presents in a single volume biographical information on 30,000 important, celebrated, or notorious figures from the last five thousand years.
Notable American Women 1607-1950. Ref CT 3260 .N57 Scholarly essays with bibliographies. Covers 1,350 women, most of whom are not included in the Dictionary of American Biography.
Notable American Women: The Modern Period. Ref CT 3260 .N573 Supplements the source listed above. Covers women who died between January 1951 and December 1975.
Who Was Who. Ref DA 28 .W65 Brief information on prominent Britons who died between 1897 and 1970.
Who Was Who in America. Ref E 663 .W54 Short biographies on prominent Americans from 1607; most recent volumes also contain information on world notables. Included at the end of the latest volume is an index to the previous volumes.
Who Was Who in USSR. Ref CT 1212 .I57 It covers the period from 1917-1967, containing 5,015 biographies of prominent individuals who had made major contributions to the political, intellectual, scientific, social and economic development of the country.
Sources by Subject (Print-on-Paper)
Art | Business | Cinema | Education | Family & Consumer Science (Home Economics) | Health Science | History | Literature | Minorities | Music | Photography | Politics & Government | Regional | Science | Women's Studies
Sources by Subject - Art
A Biographical Dictionary of Women Artists in Europe and America since 1850. Ref N 6757 .D86 1990 Entries include names, exhibitions, publications and literature.
Who's Who in American Art. Ref N 6536 .W5
Information about American and Canadian artists and people in related fields such as museum executives and collectors. Many entries include bibliographies of works by and about the subject. Includes a geographical index and an index by specialty.
Sources by Subject - Business
Corporate Yellow Book: Who's Who at the Leading U.S. Companies. Ref HG 4057 .A15 646a 2000
Who's Who in European Business. Ref HC 240 .W477 1993 Provides biographical details of senior executives from 4,000 leading businesses and organizations among 35 countries in Europe.
Who's Who in Finance and Industry. Ref HF 3023 .A2W5 2004-2005 Worldwide coverage. Also includes an index of firms with reference to personnel included in the directory. Published annually.
Sources by Subject - Cinema
Illustrated Who's Who of the Cinema, The. Ref PN 1998 .A2 I48 1983 Covers not only biographical information but also critical evaluation of the films and the characters within.
Sources by Subject - Education
Directory of American Scholars. Ref LA 2311 .C32 1978 Covers the fields of history (vol. 1), English, speech and drama (vol. 2), foreign languages, linguistics and philology (vol. 3), philosophy, religion and law (vol. 4). Brief entries provide date, discipline, education, career, association memberships, publications, and address. Includes alphabetical name and geographic indexes.
Leaders in Education. Ref LA 2311 .L4 1974 Provides brief data on 17,000 American educators included on the basis of their stature in the education field, research activity and/or position. Geographic and specialty indexes.
National Dean's List. Ref L901 .N333 Published every two years.
National Faculty Directory. Ref L 901 .N34 Brief information on American teachers, administrators and executives involved in higher education. Entries include name, department, institution, and address. Published annually.
Sources by Subject - Family & Consumer Science (Home Economics)
Who's Who in Fashion. OVSIZE TT 505 .A1S73 1988 Brief articles on designers, fashion writers and others in the fashion industry. Contains many drawings and photographs of the designers' work.
Sources by Subject - History
Who's Who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England. Ref DA 145 .2 .F55 1989 The entries are in chronicle rather than alphabetical order.
Sources by Subject - Literature
Contemporary Authors. Ref Z 1224 .C590
Excellent source of information on just about anyone who has published anything or who is in the media. Short sketches include personal facts, career data, bibliographies of works by and about the author, and insights into author's live and writings. A cumulative index is frequently published; check the most recent volume.
American Authors: 1600-1900. Ref PS 21 .K8
British Authors Before 1800. Ref PR 105 .K9
British Authors of the Nineteenth Century. Ref PR 541 .K8 1964
European Authors: 1000-1900. Ref PN 451 .K8S
Twentieth Century Authors. Ref PN 771 .K86
World Authors 1950-1970. Ref PN 451 .W3
Series of descriptive biographical information on authors of the period and nationality described in the individual titles. Includes bibliographies of works about the person.
The Greenwood encyclopedia of African American literature, 5 volumes, edited by Hans Ostrom and J. David Macey, Jr. REF. PS153.N5 G73 2005
Latino and Latina writers, 2 volumes, Alan West-Durǹ, editor. OVSIZE. PS153.H56 L39 2004
Writing African American women : an encyclopedia of literature by and about women of color, edited by Elizabeth Ann Beaulieu. 2 volumes. REF. PS153.N5 W756 2006
Sources by Subject - Minorities (Multicultural)
Africana : the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, 5 volumes, editors, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. REF. DT14 .A37435 2005
Encyclopedia of African American history 1619-1895 : from the colonial period to the age of Frederick Douglass, editor in chief, Paul Finkelman. 3 volumes. REF. E185 .E545 2006
The Greenwood encyclopedia of African American literature, 5 volumes, edited by Hans Ostrom and J. David Macey, Jr. REF. PS153.N5 G73 2005
Latino and Latina writers, 2 volumes, Alan West-Durǹ, editor. OVSIZE. PS153.H56 L39 2004
Who's Who Among Hispanic Americans. Ref E184 .S75 W36 Cover 5,000 most prominent Hispanic leaders, living or dead.
Writing African American women : an encyclopedia of literature by and about women of color, edited by Elizabeth Ann Beaulieu. 2 volumes. REF. PS153.N5 W756 2006
Sources by Subject - Music
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Ref ML 105 .B16 Concise biographies of musicians of all ages and nationalities. Entries include dates, education and training, career, accomplishments; some entries include lists of works with dates and sometimes a bibliography of works about the person.
International Encyclopedia of women Composers, 2nd ed., 2v. Ref ML 105 .C7 1987 Includes biographical information, composition, publication, references and bibliography.
International Who's Who in Music and Musician's Directory. Ref ML 106 .G7 W4 1992-93 Includes 8,000 living musicians in classical and light classical field.
Rock On. 3v. Ref ML 105.N49 Provides biographical information and list of songs by each singer/musician.
Who's Who in Rock. Ref ML 102 .R6 B36 Although no biographical information included, this book does highlight what each musician is famous or best remembered for.
Sources by Subject - Health Science
Who' s Who in American Nursing. Ref RT 25 .U5 W48 1993-94 The biographical data comes from the biographees themselves, nearly 27,000 of them, categorized by state and city within their specialties.
Sources by Subject - Photography
Contemporary Photographers'. Ref TR 139 .C663 1988 Biographical information on 750 of the best and the most prominent of contemporary photographers, living or dead, are presented here. Entries also include bibliography of books and articles about and by the entrants as well as a critical essay at the end of each entry.
Illustrated Bio-Bibliography of Black Photographers 1940-1988, An. Ref TR 139 .W55 1989 In this book, one finds in addition to biographical information on the selected photographers, source information in their collections, exhibitions, publications and representative samples of their work.
Who's Who in Photography. Ref TR 139 .W488 1991-92 Biographical sketches of accomplished photographers, both professionals and amateurs.
Sources by Subject - Politics and Government
Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1971. Ref JK 1010 .A5 1971 Short, objective sketches of all senators and representatives who served from 1774 to 1971. Also includes biographies of Presidents who never served in Congress, lists of officers of the executive branch, and a listing by state of the members of each Congress. Updated by the Omnifocal Congress Directory.
Facts About the Presidents. Ref E176 .1 .K3 This classic biographical reference work contains biographical as well as comparative data from G. Washington to G. Bush.
Official Congressional Directory. Ref JK 1011 Concise information about each member of the Senate and House, including home address and congressional office phone and room numbers. Provides a lot of extra information about Congress such as committee assignments, names of staff members, etc. New edition issued for each session of Congress.
Who's Who in American Politics. Ref E176.W6424 /1987- Brief listing of 2.200 politically active people at many levels in each state, giving information about their education, vocation, positions held, memberships, regions , and addresses.
Sources by Subject - Regional
Illinois Biographical Dictionary. Ref CT 232 .I45 Brief biographical information about VIPs in Illinois.
Research Guide to European Historical Biography 1450-present. Ref CT 759 .R47 1992 This set of 4 volumes covers biographical information of explorers, monarchs, head of states, diplomats, political and military leaders and social reformers.
Sources by Subject - Science
American Men and Women of Science. Ref Q 141 .A47 Brief factual information on people in the physical and biological sciences. Includes discipline and geographical indexes.
Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Ref Q 141 .D5 1970 Scholarly articles on the lives and achievements of deceased scientists of all ages and nationalities. Includes bibliographies. Frequently this will be the most comprehensive summary and treatment of a person's total contribution to science.
McGraw-Hill's Modern Scientists and Engineers. 3v. Ref Q 141 .M15 1980 Articles and pictures are included.
Sources by Subject - Women Studies
Biographies of American Women. Ref CT 3260 .S88 1990 Annotated bibliography, intended for use by scholars in women studies.
Notable Black American Women. Ref E 185 .96 N68 1992 Include biographical information of 500 notable black American women, living or dead. Entries include references.
Notable Hispanic American Women. Ref E 184 .S75 N68 1993 Features nearly 300 historical and contemporary women from a broad range of professions, providing personal, family, career details.
Biographical Information on the Internet
Biographical Information on the Internet A-D
African Americans in the Sciences
Anthropological Lives Anthropology biography web site.
Artists' Biographies Brief biographical data with an artist's picture and links to addional resources.
Artist Biographies from Grove.
Biographical Dictionary A user-built site
Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
Dr. Estrella's Incredibly Abridged Dictionary of Composers
Biographical Information on the Internet E-M
First Ladies of the United States
History Central--Confederate Generals & History Central--Union Generals & History Central--General Biographical
InfoPlease Biography From the Information Please Almanac.
Internet Movie Database Biographical information is included for people associated with movies and television shows, including writers, directors, and producers as well as actors.
Biographical Information on the Internet N-Z
National Inventors Hall of Fame, Search
NAXOS Guide to Classical Composers
Nobel Prize Internet Archive (Bios of Nobel Prize Winners)
Political Graveyard (Site tells where politicians are buried.)
Presidents of the United States
Religious Lives--Saints & Angels
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
ULAN--Union List of Artist Names from the Getty museum.
Voices from the Gap--Women Writers of Color
Wikipedia Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia often containing extensive biographical information. Although entries can be edited by users, and some entries have been tampered with as pranks, the information is usually accurate and informative. Due to the effects of user-editing, it is wise to cross-check information from Wikipedia, particularly if you're doing biographical research for course assignments.
Women in Science, 4000 Years of
Women's Legal History Biography Project
World War I Bigraphical Dictionary
Subject Research Guides---Biographical Information. This is a listing of other online and print biography resources you may find helpful. You will find this on the Library home page a little farther down than the Library Catalog.
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--updated by Bryan Clark, baclark@bradley.edu, 11:16, 19 August 2009 (CDT)
