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Biography Sources

If you're searching for biographical information on historical figures, this is the place for you. This guide highlights the sources for that will best help in finding biographical articles.

 

Reference Books

World Biographies

  • The McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of world biography. 16 volumes. 1973. Ref 921 M17
  • Great lives from history: 20th century series. 5 volumes. 1990. Ref 920 G78g
  • Kings, rulers, and statesmen. 1976. Ref 921 W75k
  • Facts about the British prime ministers. 1995. Ref 941 E58f
  • Black firsts: 2000 years of extraordinary achievement. 1994. Ref 909.0496 B56S
  • Biographical dictionary of World War II. 1996. Ref 940.53 B66b

 

American Biographies

  • Dictionary of American biography (and supplements). 20 volumes. Ref 921 D54
    Consists of 13,000 articles written by scholars on individuals who are important to America's history and development. Somewhat dated, but provides good details for less recent figures.
  • American national biography. 24 volumes. Ref 921 Am354
    With over 17,000 biographies, this collection of entries regarding historical American figures is a welcome treasure. It features more women and minorities than the above Dictionary of American Biography, and offers location of the individual's papers, as well as a brief bibliography for further information on the subject. Indexes include subject, place of birth, and occupation.
  • Encyclopedia of American lives. 5 volumes. 1998. Ref 921 Scr31
  • Women of achievement: 35 centuries of history. 1981. Ref 921 R19w
  • Notable American women. 5 volumes. 1971. Ref 921 N84
  • Notable Black American women. 2 volumes. 1996. Ref 921 N84b
  • The Encyclopedia of Native American biography: 600 life stories of important people. 1997. Ref 970.004 J65e
  • Biographical directory of American colonial and Revolutionary governors, 1607-1789. 1980. Ref 921 R13b
  • Biographical dictionary of the Confederacy. 1977. Ref 921 W13

 

American Presidents

  • The Presidents: A Reference history. 2002. Ref 973 P93p
  • American Presidents. 2 volumes. 2006. Ref 973.099 A512a
  • Facts about the presidents. 2001. Ref 073.099 K162f
  • Presidential scandals. 2000. Ref 973.099 Sch82p
  • The Vice presidents: A Biographical dictionary. 1998. Ref 973 V63v
  • American first ladies. 2006. Ref 973.099 A512af
  • First ladies of the United States: A Biographical dictionary. 2001. Ref 920 W341f
  • First ladies: A biographical dictionary. 2001. Ref 973.099 Sch57f

 

Electronic Sources

Don't forget that we also have several reference-type electronic resources that are easily searchable for the historical figures you wish to find.



 

Created by Lana Wilson, Reference Librarian

Last revised November 03, 2009 - 06:03 AM