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Last revised: [October, 2006] Biographical Information Sources Scope: This bibliography of biographical sources provides an annotated listing of important and representational titles of general and comprehensive biographical sources available through the McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland. It is not intended to be a complete list of biographical reference sources. Email the subject area specialist at rgarber@umd.edu or call 301-405-9281 for more information. *Before using this source* to find information determine: 1) possible name variations, 2) type of information you need, i.e. short vital statistics, an article, or monograph, 3) if the person is living or dead, 4) gender, 5) ethnic affiliation, 6) profession, subject or topic area. This information will help determine which source is best to use. Table of Contents Online Catalog Verifying a Name Indexes to Biographical Sources Magazine and Newspaper Articles Bibliographies of Monographs Bibliographies of Biographical Information Biographical Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Yearbooks Online Catalog Search the UM Libraries online catalog for full length biographies and other materials. Do a SUBJECT WORD/S search (first and last names) to find an individual, OR to search for an occupation, a time period, a geographical area, etc. Add the word "biography" to the search. EXAMPLES: billie holiday russian literature biography physicists biography france 18th biography return to top Verifying a Name Pseudonyms and Nicknames Dictionary. 1986. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT108.P7 An alphabetical listing of over 55,000 pseudonyms and nicknames from all periods of history and worldwide. Includes birth and death information, nationality, and reference to original name. return to top Indexes to Biographical Sources Indexes provide pointers to other sources and are an excellent place to start searching for biographical information. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe. (Click on Reference resources, then Biographical Information.) LOCATION: NETWRK WWW An index that provides full-text articles and entries from current newspapers, magazines and biographical directories. Biography and Genealogy Master Index. annual. 1980- . Cumulations at five-year intervals. LOCATIONS: Electronic version: NETWRK WWW; Print version: MCK PERIODICAL STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT210.B5 Comprehensive index of current and retrospective entries for over six million biographical sources. Indexed sources include biographical dictionaries, who's who's, and subject encyclopedias. Contemporary Authors: Cumulative Index. annual. LOCATIONS: Electronic version (entitled Literature Resource Center): NETWRK WWW; Print version: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: Z1224.C63 index Index to the entire Contemporary Authors Series, Dictionary of Literary Biography series, Major 20th Century Writers, Something About the Author, Authors in the News, and others. See introduction for complete list. The New York Times Obituaries Index, 1858-1968. New York: New York Times, 1970. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT213.N47 Contains references to over 353,000 names of individuals. The New York Times Obituaries Index II, 1969-1978. New York: New York Times, 1980. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT213.N47 References to over 36,000 names of individuals. Contains reprints of 50 notable persons. In Black and White: a Guide to Magazine Articles, Newspaper articles, and books concerning more than 15,000 Black Individuals and Groups. edited by Mary Mace Spradling. 3d ed. Detroit, Mich.: Gale Research Co., 1980. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: E185.96.S76 Contains bibliographic references to over 15,000 individuals and groups, worldwide, from newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, and historical collections. Includes index to occupations. return to top Magazine and Newspaper Articles Biography Index. quarterly. 1946- . LOCATIONS: Electronic version: NETWRK WWW; Print version: MCKREF STACKS (1946-1988) MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1988-1998) CALL NUMBER: Z5301.B5 Indexes biographical information found in periodicals, current books of individuals, collective biographies, obituaries, book reviews, and others. Includes index to occupations and professions. Names in the News [microform]. Stamford, CT: Newsbank, Inc. monthly. 1982-1998. LOCATION: MCKPER MFICHE CALL NUMBER: CT210.N3 Reprints biographical information from over 450 U.S. newspapers. Names in the News [index].1982-1997. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT210.N3 New York Times Index. N. Y.: New York Times Co. 1851- . LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: AI21.N44 Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. N.Y.: H.W.Wilson, 1900- . LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: AI3.R48 Uncover/ingenta. 1989- . LOCATION: Electronic version: NETWRK WWW Uncover is an interdisciplinary index of articles in over 26,000 journals from 1989 to the present. return to top Bibliographies of Monographs Biographical Books, 1950-1980. New York: R R. Bowker, 1980. LOCATION: MCK FOLIO and EPSL REFERENCE CALL NUMBER: CT104.R2 Includes listing of biographies, autobiographies, collective biographies, letters, and diaries. Indexes include name/subject, vocation, title/author. return to top Bibliographies of Biographical Information These sources list other biographical reference sources and provide pointers to other biographical sources more specific than included in this bibliography. ARBA Guide to Biographical Dictionaries. Edited by Bohdan S. Wynar. Littleton, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1986. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT103.A725 1986 Use to find biographical sources by subject area or topic. Biographical Sources: a Guide to Dictionaries and Reference Works. by Diane J. Graves et.al. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1986. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT104.C44 1986 Use to find biographical sources by subject area or topic. Guide to Reference Books. Edited by Robert Balay. Chicago: American Library Association, 1996. LOCATION: MCKREF QCKREF CALL NUMBER: Z1035.1.G89 1996 Use to find biographical sources by location or country. return to top Biographical Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Yearbooks These sources list basic facts about individuals. Many include address information. Information included in these sources is often provided by the subject. Electronic Sources Britannica Online. LOCATION: at Library Homepage/Online Reference Shelf/Encyclopedias Includes more than 23,000 full-text biographies from the current Encyclopedia Britannica. Selected General Biographical Sources The International Who's Who. biennial. 1937-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1937, 1945, 1948, 1950, 1954-) CALL NUMBER: CT120.I5 Entries include: name, occupation, vital statistics, parents, marriage, children, education, professional certifications, career, writings and creative works, civic and political activities, military, awards and fellowships, professional and association memberships, political affiliation, religion, clubs, lodges, avocations, home and office address. Who's Who. London: A. and C. Black, 1849-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1895, 1914, 1916, 1923-24, 1926-27, 1929-) CALL NUMBER: DA28.W6 Who Was Who in America. updated on a four-year cycle. 1897-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (v.2-1943/1950-). CALL NUMBER: E663.W54 Who's Who in America. biennial. 1899-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICALS ROOM (microfilm for 1899-1955), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1956-) CALL NUMBER: E663.W5612 Who's Who in American Education. biennial. 1994/1995. LOCATION: MCK PERIODICAL STACKS CALL NUMBER: LA2311.W44 Who's Who in the World. biennial. 1971/1972-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1971-1985, 1987-) CALL NUMBER: CT120.W5 Who's Who Among African Americans. New York: Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc. 1996-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: E185.96.W42 1996-1997 Who's Who Among Asian Americans. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc. 1994/1995 LOCATION: MCK PERIODICAL STACKS CALL NUMBER: E184.O6W47 Who's Who of American Women. biennial. 1970/71-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1970-) CALL NUMBER: CT3260.W5 Other General Biographical Sources These sources include directory information as well as article/essay descriptions of the individual. Many include references to other sources of information. Information contained in these sources is often written by an objective biographer. Sources that are retrospective (only deceased individuals are included) are noted in the annotation. The Almanac of Famous People. updated on a five-year cycle. 1989-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT100.B551 Volume I provides short alphabetical listings of historical and contemporary people. Includes name variations, occupation/career, one-line description, date and place of birth and death, and biographical reference sources for additional information. Volume 2 includes two chronological indexes arranged by month and day and by year. The Biography Book. By Daniel S. Burt. Westport, CT:Oryx press, 2001. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER:CT 104.B87 A reader's guide to nonfiction, fictional and film biographies of more then 500 of the most fascinating individuals of all time. Current Biography. monthly/annual. 1940-. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT100.C8 Objective biographies of prominent individuals from national and international affairs, the sciences, the arts, sports, business, and industry. Includes photographs and index of individuals by profession and occupation. Dictionary of World Biography. Chicago:Fitzroy Dearborn, 1998-1999. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT104.D54 A nine volume biographical dictionary of individuals from the Ancient World through the 20th Century. These volumes are a revision and reordering of the Great Lives from History series. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT103.E56 New York Times Biographical Service. monthly. 1979-2001. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT120.N45 Retrospective. Reproductions of major biographical articles (both obituary and news-oriented) which have appeared in the New York Times. Use the index in the latest edition to locate an individual. Webster's Biographical Dictionary. Springfield, MA: G and C. Merriam Co. 1976. CALL NUMBER: MCK STACKS LOCATIONS: CT103.W4 1976 Selected Professional or Occupational Biographical Dictionaries American Men & Women of Science. Detroit, Thomson Gale, 2005. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: Q141.A471 Provides basic biographical data on engineers and scientists. Includes birth dates and places, field of specialty, education, honorary degrees, current position, professional and current experience, awards, memberships, research information, addresses. Some entries include e-mail address. Contemporary Authors. bimonthly. 1962-. LOCATIONS: Electronic version (entitled Literature Resource Center): NETWRK WWW; Print version: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: Z1224.C6 Information on over 100,000 writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama published by commercial and risk publishers and university presses. Includes non-English writers if their works were published in the United States or translated into English. Also contains prominent print and broadcast journalists and early twentieth century literary greats. Use the Cumulative Index to determine which volume contains information. Contemporary Authors: Cumulative Index. annual. CALL NUMBER Z1224.C index Contemporary Authors: original volumes 1- 147. CALL NUMBER: Z1224.C6 Contemporary Authors: New Revision Series. bimonthly. CALL NUMBER: Z1224.C63 Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series. irregular. CALL NUMBER: PS129.C6 Contemporary Authors: Permanent Series. CALL NUMBER: Z1224.C62 Dictionary of Literary Biography. irregular. 1978-. LOCATIONS: Electronic version (entitled Literature Resource Center): NETWRK WWW; Print version: MCKREF BIOG CALL NUMBER: PS129.D53 Comprehensive biographical and bibliographical information on major authors, historians, journalists, publishers, screen writers and others. Organized topically. Use the latest volume's index or Contemporary Authors: Cumulative Index to find entries. Dictionary of Literary Biography. CALL NUMBER: PS129.D53 Dictionary of Literary Biography Yearbook. CALL NUMBER: PS129.D5 Dictionary of Literary Biography Documentary Series. CALL NUMBER: PS129.D48 Dictionary of Scientific Biography. New York, Scribner's, 1970-1989. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: Q141.D5 Retrospective. Short articles with excellent bibliographies (to both primary and secondary sources) on deceased scientists who made a difference to the profession or scientific community. Includes people in mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth sciences. Areas of technology, medicine, behavioral and social sciences are ONLY included when their work relates to the hard sciences. Directory of American Scholars. Detroit, Gale, 1999 LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: LA2311.C32 A five volume set (Volume I: History, Volume II: English, Speech and Drama, Volume III: Foreign Languages, Linguistics and Philology, Volume IV: Philosophy, Religion and Law, Volume V: Index). Entries include: primary discipline, vital statistics, education, honorary degrees, present professional experience, concurrent positions, memberships, research interests, publications, and mailing address. National Faculty Directory. Detroit, MI: Gale Research. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: LB1778.N31 Latest Edition Only. Notable Sports Figures. Edited by Dana Barnes. Detroit: Gale, 2004. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: GV697.A1N68 A four volume set that provides profiles of more than 600 individuals who have made contributions to their sport and to society. It covers people from many countries and from the 1800's up to date. There are lists of further information. Special Groups African American Lives. Edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham. New York: Oxford U.P., 2004. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: E185.96.A446 A collection of 611 biographies of African Americans both living and dead that cover more than four centuries. Articles include bibliographical references. African American Women: a Biographical Dictionary. Edited by Dorothy C. Salem. New York: Garland, 1993. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: E185.96.A45 1993 Primarily retrospective, but also includes contemporary African American women who have made a significant contribution to social reform, politics, arts, entertainment, business, education, and professions from the Colonial era to the present. Alphabetically arranged and cross-referenced and indexed by occupations, organizations, and regions. Includes bibliographic reference for each entry and a bibliography to other sources on African American women. The Continuum Dictionary of Women's Biography. Compiled and edited by Jennifer S. Uglow. New York: Continuum, 1989. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT3202.C66 1989 Paragraph descriptions of notable women both historical and contemporary primarily from North America and Europe. Concise entries include name, relevant dates, nationality, reason for inclusion, and brief biography. Many entries include references to other sources. Excellent bibliography to biographical material on women. Notable American Women, 1607-1950; a Biographical Dictionary. Edited by Edward T. James. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT3260.N57 Retrospective. Based on the model of the Dictionary of Literary Biography, this source includes scholarly articles on American women who died prior to 1950; therefore, most active careers do not extend beyond 1920. Includes bibliography to additional sources. Notable American Women: The Modern Period. Edited by Barbara Sicherman, Carol Hurd Green with Ilene Kantrov, Harriette Walker. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1980. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT3260.N573 Retrospective. A companion work to Notable American Women 1607-1950 (see above) includes women who died prior to 1976 and bibliography to additional sources. Notable American Women: Completing the Twentieth Century Edited by Susan Ware. Cambridge, MA., Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2004. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT3260.N5725 Retrospective. A companion work to Notable American Women (see above) that includes women who died between 1976 and 1999. Selected National or Regional Biographical Dictionaries Canadian Who's Who. Toronto, University of Toronto Press. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS (latest edition), MCK PERIODICAL STACKS (1912, 1949/51, 1970/72, 1973/75, 1979-) CALL NUMBER: F1033.C23 Dictionary of American Biography. New York, Scribner's, 1937. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: E176.D563 Base Volumes I-X cover until 1936 Supplements at five-year intervals Retrospective. Scholarly signed articles about individuals who made major professional or artistic contributions while living in the United States. Includes basic biographical data, signed article descriptions of the individual's life and bibliography. Use the DAB Comprehensive Index to locate an individual. Indexes to: names of contributors, birthplaces, schools and colleges, occupations, and topical areas Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. New York, Oxford University Press, 2004 LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: DA28.O95 2004 Retrospective. Primarily British subjects. Includes basic biographical data, signed article descriptions of the individual's life and bibliography. Who's Who in Germany. Munich: Intercontinental Book and Pub. Co., 1996. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: DD85.W45 Who's Who in Russia and the CIS Republics. Vladimir Morozov, ed. 1st ed. N.Y.: Henry Holt, 1995. LOCATION: MCKREF STACKS CALL NUMBER: CT1203.W46 return to top





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