Geographic Biographical Sources

Many of the resources available for biographers are arranged by geographical location. These resources can help the researcher find more specific information on individuals not included in the general indexes.

International Biographical Sources

Current

Current Biography Yearbook (New York: H. W. Wilson, 1940- ) *R-AA 98-1105. This annual is a valuable source for biographical data on contemporary people from all professions (including literary, sports, and political figures). The essay-length entries (which include brief bibliographies) provide not only data about a person's life and career but also his or her physical characteristics (such as height, color of eyes, etc.) and a photograph. A cumulated index exists for the years 1940 through 1995; the 2000 edition indexes the years 1991 through 2000.

International Who's Who (London: Europa, 1935- ) Current issue is available at the Information desk in Room 315; older volumes are cataloged under AA. This annual provides succinct biographical data for notables from around the world and is prefaced by an enumeration of reigning royal houses.

International Who's Who of Women [London: Europa Publications Limited, 1992- ] *R-SNE 93-1593, for latest edition. For earlier editions, check CATNYP. Brief entries on notable women.

New York Times Biographical Edition (New York: Arno Press, 1970- ) *R-*A. This work, also known as the New York Times Biographical Service, is a compilation of articles about notable people as gathered from The New York Times.

Who's Who in the World (Chicago: Marquis, 1971- ) Current issue available at the Information desk in Room 315; older issues available under N-10 2865. Like International Who's Who, this biennial provides brief biographical data for the world's notables; while there is some duplication, each work contains names unique to itself.

Retrospective

Biographie Universelle Ancienne et Moderne (by J. Fr. Michaud) 45 vols. *RR-AA 70-90 Commonly known by the author's last name, this dictionary of universal biography is noted for its scholarly articles and lengthy bibliographies, whose titles are supplied in French even when the materials were originally published in another language. Individuals covered represent all times and places, but there is a distinct emphasis on French notables.

Chalmers, Alexander. The General Biographical Dictionary (London: Printed for J. Nichols, 1812-1817), 32 vols. *RR-AA. This biographical dictionary, characterized by long, discursive entries, covers people from all places and times with a particular focus on the British Isles.

Hoefer, Jean C. E. Nouvelle Biographie Generale (Paris: Didot 1852-1868), 46 vols., *RR-AA. While this work is similar in many respects to Michaud's Biographie Universelle, its entries tend to be shorter and less scholarly. In addition, the bibliographies supplied by Hoefer provide titles in the original tongue.

The International Dictionary of Women's Biography (New York: Continuum, 1989) *R-SNE 89-3321. This work provides brief biographical entries for prominent women.

The New Century Cyclopedia of Names (New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1954), 3 vols.; request at the Information Desk in Room 315. This compilation of proper names (including persons, places, historical events, etc.) is valuable for its concise biographical information on world notables.

Thomas, Joseph. Universal Pronouncing Dictionary of Biography and Mythology, 5th edition (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1930) *R-AA. This biographical dictionary, noted for its emphasis on pronounciation, provides brief biographical data on historical and mythological figures.

Webster's New Biographical Dictionary (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1995); request this item at the Information Desk in Room 315. This dictionary provides condensed biographical sketches of notable men and women. Like the previous item, it is an excellent source for the pronounciation of names.

Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia [Waterford, CT: Yorkin Publications, 1999- ], 16 vols. *R-SNE 99-1076 Biographical essays on women of achievement representing all times and places.

American Biographical Sources

Current

Who's Who in America (Chicago: Marquis, 1899/1900- ) *RR-AGZ; current edition also available at the Information Desk in Room 315. This biennial is the leading source for information on contemporary Americans. Biographical data is supplied by the biographees themselves, and individuals may be dropped when they are no longer considered prominent. Who's Who in America is supplemented by regional editions which supply biographical data on persons not listed in the main work. These regional editions are issued biennially by Marquis:

Who's Who in the East (1942/43- )

Who's Who in the Midwest (1949- )

Who's Who in the South and Southwest (1950- )

Who's Who in the West (1949- ).

The most recent editions of these works are available at the Information Desk in Room 315. For earlier editions, consult a librarian for call number.

Who's Who among Black Americans (Northbrook, Illinois: Who's Who among Black Americans, 1975/ 76- ). *R-AB 95-1525 (current edition). For older editions, please check CATNYP. This publication is issued at irregular intervals; the biographees themselves supplied the information.

Who's Who of American Women (Chicago: Marquis: 1958/59- ); current edition at the Information Desk in Room 315.. For older editions, consult a librarian for call number. This biennial conforms to other Marquis biographical dictionaries in that the information is supplied by the biographees themselves.

Retrospective

American National Biography {New York: Oxford University Press, 1999], 24 vols. *R- AGZ 99-2023 and *R-USLHG IAD 99-2024 Considered to be the successor to Dictionary of American Biography, this, too, contains scholarly articles on noted Americans with bibliographies. Indexes by subject, contributor, place of birth, and occupation and realm of renown.

Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography (Detroit: Gale, 1968 reprint of 1888 edition and its 1901 supplement), 7 vols.; *R-AGZ 75-3830. This biographical dictionary contains not only long articles about its subjects but also a significant number of portraits and facsimiles of autographs. Its analytical index (in vol. 6) is useful for subjects and names not treated separately.

Dictionary of American Biography (New York: Scribner, 1944-64) 11 vols. with 8 supplements covering those who died through 1970. *R-AGZ. This is the leading biographical dictionary for Americans and is noted for its scholarly articles and bibliographies. Indexes include arrangement by subject, contributor, birthplace, and occupation.

Logan, Rayford W. Dictionary of American Negro Biography (New York: Norton, 1982). at Information Desk in Room 315. This biographical dictionary on American blacks includes black men and women who achieved prominence in the history of the United States. Articles generally are scholarly, and brief bibliographies are included.

National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (New York: J. T. White: 1892- ), 63 vols. *R-AGZ. This biographical dictionary of Americans is more comprehensive than the Dictionary of American Biography but lacks the scholarly approach and the bibliographies characteristic of the latter work. The entries in the National Cyclopaedia are unsigned and are largely based upon questionnaires and other information supplied by families of the biographees. Since this dictionary is not alphabetically arranged, access to the entries is through the general index. While the focus of this work is on the deceased, volumes entitled "current" or "lettered" include those living at the time of compilation. Portraits are supplied throughout the set.

Notable American Women, 1607-1950; A Biographical Dictionary (Cambridge: Belknap, 1971) 3 vols. *R-SNE. This scholarly work (with bibliographies) provides biographical sketches of approximately 1,400 women who achieved prominence or recognition in American life. Supplemented by Notable American Women: The Modern Period: A Biographical Dictionary (Cambridge: Belknap, 1980) also in *R-SNE.

Notable Americans: What They Did, from 1620 to the Present (Detroit: Gale, 1988); available at the Information Desk in Room 315. This work provides chronological enumerations of American officeholders of various kinds (e.g. congressmen, cabinet members, governors, mayors, college presidents, and leaders of the Confederacy). Indexes are arranged by personal name and organization. This reference book supercedes White's Conspectus of American Biography.

The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives [New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998- ] 5 vols., in progress *R-AGZ 99-2099. Biographical essays on notables who have died since 1981. Bibliographies included. Indexes by occupation and contributor.

Who Was Who in America (Chicago: Marquis, 1942- ). *RR-AGZ. Historical volume with 8 supplements (in progress). The principal volume of this work, entitled Historical Volume, 1607-1896, consists of biographical sketches of people prominent in American history; the supplements, covering the period from 1897 through 2000, include sketches of those people removed from Who's Who in America after their death. An index, arranged by name of biographee, covers the Historical Volume as well as the supplements.

Willard, Frances E. American Women (Detroit: Gale, 1973 reprint of 1897 edition), 2 vols.*R-SNE 76-1086. This work consists of brief biographical sketches of prominent women in nineteenth-century America. Particularly useful for its portraits of nearly all biographees and a classified index arranged by vocation.

French Biographical Sources

Current

Who's Who in France (Paris: Lafitte, 1953- ). *RR-AGI; older editions cataloged under JFM 86-475. Despite its English title, the entries in this biennial biographical dictionary appear only in French. Coverage includes not only residents of France but also French nationals living overseas and Francophone persons in former French colonies.

Retrospective

Dictionnaire de Biographie Francaise (Paris: Letouzey, 1933- ), 20 vols., in progress.*R-AGI. This dictionary of national biography, characterized by scholarly articles and lengthy bibliographies, should be used in conjunction with Michaud's Biographie Universelle and Hoefer's Nouvelle Biographie Generale.

German Biographical Sources

Current

Wer ist's? (Berlin: Degner, 1905- ). *RR-AGK; older editions, which appeared at irregular intervals are cataloged under AGK. Entries for biographees are brief, and some portraits are included. Although this work is now published under the title Wer ist Wer? the Library still catalogs it under its original designation.

Who's Who in Germany (Munich: Intercontinental Book and Pub. Co., 1956- ). *RR-AGK; earlier editions in K-10 38. Written in English, this biographical dictionary (issued irregularly) provides sketches of prominent persons in Germany.

Retrospective

Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (Berlin: Duncker and Humblot, 1967-71 reprint of 1875-1912 edition), 56 vols. *RR-AGK 71-74. This standard German biographical dictionary includes long, scholarly articles with bibliographies and is limited to those who were deceased at time of publication. Because of the supplements found in many volumes, it is necessary to employ the index to obtain the complete record of a biographee.

Neue Deutsche Biographie (Berlin: Duncker and Humblot, 1953- ) 20 vols, in progress. *RR-AGK. Like the above work, this dictionary is limited to deceased persons; it, too, is characterized by authoritative articles and bibliographies. However, Neue Deutsche Biographie is more comprehensive in that it includes notables who have died since Allegemeine Deutsche Biographie was published as well as additional names from earlier periods. Each volume has its own index, which includes references to all entries in Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie.

Deutsche Biographische Enzyklopadie [Munich: K.G. Saur, 1995- ], 12 vols., in progress *R-AGK 98-10047 Brief entries on prominent people in German history. It is now being translated into English as Dictionary of German Biography [Munich: K.G. Saur, 2001- ], 2 vols., in progress *R-AGK 01-10493.

Deutsches Biographisches Archiv (Munich and New York: K.G. Saur, 1982- ). *XM-16,822, guide in *XM-16, 822+. This microform set includes items from 254 biographical works originally published from 1707 to 1913. It is supplemented by Deutsches Biographisches Archiv: Neue Folge bis zur Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts (Munich and New York: K.G. Suar, 1989-1993?). *XM-16,822a.

Italian Biographical Sources

Current

Who's Who in Italy [Milan: 1957- ] *RR-AGF 89-2025, latest edition. Earlier editions under K-10 1449. Brief entries in English on contemporary Italians.

Retrospective

Archivio Biografico Italiano [Munich; New York: Saur, 1987-1990] *XM-21964, with index in *XM-21964+ and *XM-21965+. A microfilm set which includes biographical sources on notable Italians. Another print index is available: Indice Biografico Italiano [Munich; New York; K.G. Saur, 1993] JFF 99-3346.

Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani [Rome: Instituto della Rnciclopedia Italiana, 1960- ], 57 vols., in progress. *RR-AGF, with duplicate copy in JFL 80-7. Scholarly essays on major figures in Italy, with extensive bibliographies.

United Kingdom Biographical Sources

Current

Who's Who, an Annual Biographical Dictionary (London: Black, 1849- ). Available at the Information Desk in Room 315; older editions cataloged under AA. This annual, the prototype of all Who's Who books, offers brief biographical sketches of prominent people in Britain (some international notables also included). (N. B. Representative issues of Who's Who are also available under the call number *RR-AA.)

Retrospective

Dictionary of National Biography (London: Oxford University Press, 1967 reprint of 1885-1901 edition), 22 vols. with supplements covering the years 1901 through 1990. *R-AGH 73-1514. This definitive biographical dictionary includes noteworthy and prominent people of the British Isles, British colonies, and colonial America, and is characterized by its scholarly approach and extensive bibliographies. Scope is limited to those deceased at time of publication; there is an index for the main set and each supplement includes a cumulative index covering all entries from 1901 in one alphabetical sequence.

Who's Who in British History: Beginnings to 1901 [London; Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 1998], 2 vols. *R-AGH 99-1610 Brief entries on notable British figures.

Who Was Who (London: Black, 1929- ), Main volume (1897-1916) with supplements covering the period through 1995. There are two call numbers for the complete set: *RR-AA and AGH. Included here are the original biographical sketches as they appeared in Who's Who with the date of death added.

British Biographical Archive (London and New York: K.G. Saur, 1984- ). *XM-16,823 (in progress). A print index entitled British Biographical Index [London; New York: Saur, 1990] is available under *R-AB 91-6342. A cumulation of 324 of the most important English-language biographical reference works originally published between 1601 and 1929.

Biographical Sources for Other Areas

Archivo Biografico de Espana, Portugal e Iberoamerica (Munich and New York: K.G. Saur, 1986) *XM-19,313 with guide in *XM-19,313+. A microform set that includes biographical sources for Portugal, Spain, and Latin America. Supplement in *XL-813, and index to same in *XL-813+. Another print index is Indice Biografico de Espana, Portugal e Iberoamerica [Munich; New York: K.G. Saur, 1990] JFF 90-2254

Australasian Biographical Archive (Munich and New York: K.G. Saur, 1990- ) *XM-19, 308 (in progress). A microform set containing biographical information for Australia and New Zealand. Supplement in *XM-21, 897.

Scandinavian Biographical Archive (London and New York: K.G. Saur. 1990- ) *XM-19,320 with guide in *XM-19,320+ (in progress). A print index entitled

Scandinavian Biographical Index [London: K.G.Saur, 1994] is available under *R-AGQ 95-13042. A microform set containing biographical information for Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.

Who's Who in Spain [Montreal: Intercontinental Book and Pub. Co., 1963- ] *R-AGG 91-2240, latest edition. Earlier editions under K-10 5342. Brief entries in English on prominent people in Spain.