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Do you need to know something about your local
legislator or something about the life of an author you are studying?
In preparing for the introduction of a speaker, do you need to
research his or her educational background and achievements? Are
you curious about the life or career of a particular actor or musician?
The appropriate biographical source can provide you with the answers
for these and many other information needs.
Hutchins Library has many different sources for
biographical material. Some of these, such as the Who's Who publications
for various occupations and geographical regions, provide basic
facts such as birth date, schools attended, jobs held; other sources
discuss people's achievements and contributions in greater length.
Which of the many sources available will best
meet your needs? You can make your search easier by categorizing
the person you are interested in according to the following characteristics:
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Public Notoriety
- Living or Dead
Depending on the answers to these questions,
you can look for biographical information in one or more of the
sources discussed in this guide. All books listed on the following
pages can be found in the reference area of Hutchins Library. In
your search for biographical information remember that there are
many other sources that may be useful to you in addition to those
discussed in this guide. For example, newspapers and encyclopedias
may also supply information on people who are newsworthy and/or
famous.
This guide is divided into the following sections
(Click on any link to jump directly to that section of the guide):
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- Locating Biographical Sources through BANC (the
Library’s online catalog)
- Locating Biographical Sources on the Web
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I. ONLINE BIOGRAPHICAL
RESOURCES
The BGMI is the starting place for biographical research,
and this standard print reference resource is now online. While
not providing full-text information, it does index more than
13.3 million biographical sketches. BGMI indexes only reference
works containing multiple biographies; it does not index periodical
articles or books of biography about a single individual. Name
authority is weak; be prepared to look for variations in a
name.
This digital resource contains biographical
information on a large number of individuals from antiquity
to the present, representing all fields and nationalities.
Entries are full text. Included are major biographical resources
such as Current Biography and Biography Index.
Our online access is via OmniFile Full Text.
The BioRC is a comprehensive database of biographical
information on over 320,000 people from throughout history,
around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas.
It combines more than 400,000 biographies from more than 130
publications from Gale, a major publisher of reference material.
Included are Contemporary Authors and Dictionary
of Literary Biography.
QUICK REFERENCE
These resources used for checking facts such as life dates,
nationality and pronunciation.
Webster's Biographical Dictionary
R 920 W382d
Concise (sometimes one sentence) biographies of 40,000 people
from all times and places are provided in this work. The pronunciation
of names is given.
Cambridge Biographical Dictionary
R 920.02 C178
Offers better access to women, popular culture and third world figures
than many similar resources.
INDEXES
Biographical Books
R 016.92 B786b
Spanning the years1876-1980, this two volume bibliography
indexes biographical and autobiographical works published or
distributed in the United States, including diaries, letters
and dictionaries. Information may be accessed by using the
vocation, name/subject or author/title indexes.
Biography Index
Index B
Biography Index is a guide to biographical
material appearing in books and periodicals. Entries are arranged
alphabetically by name of the biographee. A list of the biographees
organized by profession is included in each volume. Biography
Reference Bank can be consulted for most current
issues and retrospective access from 1984 .
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY
American National Biography (ANB)
R 920 D554G 1999
This twenty four volume work is
updated with supplements. Roughly 17,500 historical U.S.
figures are profiled from virtually all walks of life. Articles
are signed and ranged from 750 to 7,500 words in length.
To be included, an individual must have died before 1996.
Work is well indexed. Data concerning where the individual's
personal papers are archived is included. It supersedes the Dictionary
of American Biography (R 920 D554).
Who's Who in America
R 920 w628 Year
Brief biographical data of prominent, living North Americans,
including Canadians and Mexicans, are found in this annual
publication. Entries include awards, achievements and contact
information. Each volume contains the obituaries of biographees
included in the previous edition and have died in the past
year. Extensive indexes are provided.
Who Was Who in America
R 920 W628aw
This work has concise factual information concerning deceased,
prominent Americans. A retrospective volume of Americans who
died before Who's Who was published.
Research Guide to American Historical Biography
R 920.073 R432
This three volume series details lives of 278 Americans. Entries
include a chronology, summary of historic activities plus an
evaluation of biographical and primary resources. Key museums,
historic landmarks and societies associated with the person
are noted. Their appearance on U.S. postal stamps are noted
and illustrated.
REGIONAL AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY
Who's Who in the South and Southwest
R 920 W628so
Individuals from nearly field are included in this work which
focuses on the U.S. South and Southwest plus Mexico. Southern
Appalachia is included. This work includes many people of regional
importance not included in Who's Who in America.
Who's Who in the East
R 920 W628ea
Individuals from nearly field are included in this work which
focuses on New England, the Mid-Atlantic States plus maritime
and eastern Canada. This work includes many people of regional
importance not included in Who's Who in America.
BRITISH BIOGRAPHY
Dictionary of National Biography
(DNB)
R 920 D554o 2004
The DNB is the place for British
biographies. This sixty volume work contains nearly 50,000
biographies of people from all walks of life. Chronologically,
its coverage ranges from ancient Britain to those individuals
who died in 2000. While the signed biographical entries vary
in length, most will contain suggested sources, archive data,
and information concerning likenesses. The set depends heavily
on its A-Z format with minimal indexing.
Who's Who
R 920 W628e
Who's Who is an annual biographical dictionary that
presents basic facts about living, prominent Britons. The royal
family is listed in the front.
Who Was Who
920 W628ec
This work has concise factual information concerning deceased,
prominent Britons.
INTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Current Biography (1940- present)
R 920 C976
Current Biography is a leading resource on living individuals.
Entries are two to three page essays about notable people from
various fields. Photographs, pronunciation guides, and suggested
further readings are included. It is printed in eleven monthly
issues plus an annual compilation, Current Biography Yearbook. Our
on-line access is a part of the Biography
Reference Bank. While international in scope, most
biographees are Americans.
Research Guide to European Historical Biography
920.073 R4325
Staring with the year1450, this eight volume work is divided
into two sections. The first four volumes address explorers,
monarchs, political and military figures, and the next four
cover scientists, philosophers, theologians and artists. Entries
include a chronology, summary of historic activities plus an
evaluation of biographical, primary and secondary resources.
Magill's Great Lives Series
R 920.073/G786 Great Lives
From History: American Series
R 305.409/G786 Great Lives From History:
American Women Series
R 920.009/G7854 Great Lives From History:
Ancient and Medieval Series
R 920.041/G786 Great Lives From History:
British and Commonwealth Series
R 920.009/G7856 Great Lives From History:
Renaissance to 1900 Series
R 920.009/G786 Great Lives From History:
Twentieth-century Series
These works are collections of short essays on outstanding
individuals. Each entry includes a descriptive overview of
the person’s early life, life’s work and place
in history. Each entry concludes with a select annotated bibliography
of books and articles about the individual. Indexes arranged
by area of achievement, by geographical location, and by name
are included.
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography (EWB)
R 920 M147
International in scope, this set contains biography of significant
individuals. Articles are signed and average 800 words. There
is a stated interest to include Third World people. Extensive
indexing is provided. While supplements have updated it, the
set is dated.
IV. SPECIALIZED
BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES
ARTS
A Biographical Dictionary of Film
R 791.4309 T482n 2002
Directors, actors, actresses, and producers of the British
and American cinema are listed in a selective, alphabetically
arranged list. Cross-references and notes for reading are often
supplied at the end of the biographical sketch
Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians
R 780.92 B168 2001
This dictionary lists persons who have excelled in the various
fields of music. Entries are alphabetical and include a brief
sketch containing vital statistics and career information.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Who's Who in Finance and Business
R 923.37 W927 fi
This work, published biennially, employs the typical Who's
Who directory format.
EDUCATION
Biographical Dictionary of American Educators
R 923.7 B615
This source provides information about the major figures in
the development of American education from colonial times through
1976. Special emphasis is given to women and minorities. Each
entry consists of a biographical sketch and references for
further information.
Directory of American Scholars
R 923.7 D598
This work covers major scholars in the fields of history,
English, speech, drama, foreign languages, linguistics, philosophy,
religion, and law. Entries are brief like those in Who’s
Who.
LITERATURE
Contemporary Authors (First Revision and New Revision)
R 928.1 C761
International in scope, Contemporary Authors is the
most complete biographical source for current authors. Complete
indexing to the entire series is found in even-numbered volumes
of the original volumes (blue and black with orange bands).
The cumulative author index (R 928.1 C761 Cumulative Index v.1
- ) is helpful in locating information in the series.
The majority of this series is now available on-line via the Biography
Resource Center.
Cyclopedia of World Authors
R 809 C995
In an alphabetical arrangement, this book considers the lives
and works of more than 750 authors. Biographical sketches vary
in length and may be found under the author’s name or
commonly known pseudonym. Bibliographical references are also
supplied to assist in further research. This work is supplemented
by Cyclopedia of World Authors II (R809 C995 1989),
a four volume set which includes over 700 additional entries.
Dictionary of Literary Biography (BLD)
R 928.2 D554
The DLB provides extensive information on writers. Each volume
is arranged around a genre and/or time period. The articles
for major writers are lengthy. All articles include bibliographies.
Information in these volumes can also be accessed using the
cumulative author index of Contemporary Authors. The
majority of this series is now available on-line via the Biography
Resource Center.
MINORITIES
Biographical Dictionary of American Indian History to 1900
R 970.004 W164
This retrospective work, covering Canada and the U.S., provides
biographies of varying length. Indexing is strong and provides
a separate tribal index. Some biographees were active into
the twenty century.
Contemporary Black Biography (1992- )
R 920.0092 C761
This source provides in depth profiles of influential individual
of African heritage from a wide variety of disciplines. It
is also available on-line in Biography Resource Center.
Distinguished
Asian Americans
E-book
This work features biographies of 166 Asian Americans, both
living and deceased, from various ethnic backgrounds and all
walks of life. It is arranged in alphabetical order with surname
last. An ethnic subgroup index is provided.
Who's Who Among Black Americans
R 920 W628ab Year
The bibliographical entries in this source reflect the diversity
of African-American achievement.
Notable
Latino Americans
E-book
This e-book contains lengthy biographies of 127 U.S. Latinos
from various walks of life, both living and dead. Women comprise
about a third of the biographies.
RELIGION
Dictionary of Christian Biography
R 270.092 D554 2001
This single volume work contains 6,500 concise biographies.
It has a separate index for date and place of death.
SCIENCES
American Men and Women of Science
R 925 A512s
Basic biographical data on prominent people in the physical,
social, and behavioral sciences are provided is this source.
A companion source of international scope is Dictionary
of Scientific Biography. (R 925 D554)
Dictionary of American Nursing Biography
R 610.7309 D554
This book contains a total of 196 biographical sketches of
persons who were important in the history of American nursing.
The sketches are formatted to include biographical information,
description of contributions and writings, and references to
help readers locate more detailed information.
Dictionary of Scientific Biography
R 925 D554
Covering classic to modern times, this multi-volume work provides
lengthy retrospective biographies of critical scientist and
scientific thinkers. Entries include a bibliography. Series
is strengthened with strong indexing and updated with supplements.
WOMEN
A Dictionary of British and American Women Writers: 1660 - 1800
R 820.992 D554
Although limited in time frame, this work accurately reveals
the role of female writers prior to the Victorian era. Each
writer is listed alphabetically under her most commonly used
name, title, pseudonym, etc. The entries consist of biographical
information, a list of all or most of the author's known works,
a short assessment of her work, and statement of themes and
major genres most associated with the author.
Notable American Women
R 920.7 N899
Notable American Women is an essential source for locating
biographical information on American women. Similar in format
to the Dictionary of American Biography, this three-volume
set contains biographical sketches of 1,359 women, all of whom
died before 1950. Articles vary in length from a column to
several pages, are written by scholars in the field, and include
useful bibliographies.
V. Locating Biographical
Sources through THE ON-LINE CATALOG - BANC
Books written by the person will be found by doing an AUTHOR
search, while books written about him/her will be found by
doing a SUBJECT HEADING search. To locate books which discuss
the lives of many people, BIOGRAPHY will be used as a subheading.
For example:
AFRO-AMERICANS -- BIOGRAPHY
UNITED NATIONS -- BIOGRAPHY
KENTUCKY -- BIOGRAPHY
Information
Please Almanac provides these brief, quick reference biographies.
This web site
is an online directory of retrospective biographies.
Made available
from the A&E series, this site has over 25,000 biographies.
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