Biographical Information Online
Database Search Tips

Here are more search tips and information on the databases in the BIO research guide. Note that many databases contain some biographical information, so you may want to explore your favorite databases by linking to Databases by Subject.
Ask a Librarian for further assistance!

 

Biography-Specific Databases

Biography & Genealogy Master Index

A popular "first stop" tool that can tell you where where to look for biographical material on people from all time periods, geographical locations and disciplines.
Tips: Advanced Search gives you more options in constructing your search and allows you to check a box to indicate which resources contain portrait images.

Contemporary Authors

Contemporary Authors is a primary resource for information on American and international authors, including those who were active prior to 1960 and whose works continue to influence contemporary literature. It features authors of fiction, poetry, drama, journalism, cartoons, screenwriting and other media, and literary greats of the early 20th century.
Tips: CA is part of a database suite, Gale Literary Databases. Linking to Contemporary Authors gives you the option of searching the Dictionary of Literary Biography or, you can search the entire suite all at once.

Marquis' Who's Who on the Web

Over one-million profiles on notable men and women with links to other Who's Who profile publications for American History, American Politics and Art.
Tips: Notice the Search Current Biographies Only checkbox.

Online Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Access Science

The web edition of McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.
Tips:
Link to the Biographies tab at the top of the search page to find biographies on leading scientists throughout history. Note special sections on Nobel Prize Winners and Field Medal Winners.

Credo Reference

An online collection of encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri and books of quotations, with a range of subject-specific titles covering many subjects from art to accountancy, medicine, literature and law. The titles in this collection are also linked in Cameo, the library catalog.
Tips:
Choose Biographies in the "Use Credo Reference to Find..." box; or try the Gadgets tab to find persons, pronunciations,
quotations and more. In Advanced Search, you can limit your search to Biography and other search limits at the same time.

Britannica Online

Full-text articles, images and video provide background information on notable people from many disciplines, cultures, time periods and geographic areas.
Tips:
On the home page: Look for the Biographies link under the search window to browse an alphabetical list of people.. and the Britannica Daily which provides Biography of the Day highlighting a notable person with additional links to other people born on that day.

Oxford Art Online (Oxford University Press)

Searches the Grove Art Online (encyclopedia) , The Oxford Companion to Western Art, Encyclopedia of Aesthetics and The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms separately or all at once.
Tips:
Type the name of a person in any search mode or use the Biographies tab on the home page; Advanced Biography search will find a person by name as well by nationality, occupation, birth or death dates and place of birth or death.

Oxford Music Online

Find biographical information on composers, performers, and other people related to music.
Tips:
Type the name of a person in any search mode or use the Biographies tab on the home page; Advanced Biography search will find a person by name as well by nationality, occupation, birth or death dates and place of birth or death.

Oxford Reference Online (Oxford University Press)

A compliation of over 100 handbooks, dictionaries of quotations and other resources. ORO gives short, factual biographical definitions, background on names, quotations.
Tips:
In Advanced Search look for the "Refine Your Search" box to search People.

Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The updated online version of the 1998 print edition providing more than 2,000 articles on historical and contemporary philosophy.
Tips:
Under the Subject Guides tab, click on a philosophical theme, time period, culture/geographic area or religion to find names and subjects associated with your choice.

Directories

American Men and Women of Science: A Biographical Directory of Today's Leaders in Physical, Biological and Related Sciences (Gale Virtual Reference Library)


Includes brief biographical entries on nearly 135,000 living scientists, providing birthdate; birthplace; field of specialty; education; honorary degrees; current position; professional and career information; awards; memberships; research information; and e-mail, fax and mailing addresses for each entrant where available.
Tips:
Use the simple search box in the left column of the main search page enter names of living scientists. Typing the last name only is usually sufficient.

Expertise

Over 480,000 first-person profiles of faculty researchers worldwide, their interests and their areas of expertise.

Leadership Directories Inc.

Access names, titles and addresses for people working in the public and private sectors, as well as business, government and non-profit organizations.

Biography Searches in Broad-Spectrum Databases

These databases contain a vast amount of information in many areas and there are many other ways you can search.
Ask a Librarian for further help and information!

Lexis-Nexis Academic

Find full-text articles, profiles and directory information on people in all subject areas with an emphasis in news worldwide, business, law and general medical/health resources.

Tips:
Try the People tag at the top bar of the home page to search individuals by name. Be sure to choose a specific information source from the pull-down menu.

Use the Additional Search Terms box to narrow a search (interview, obituary, etc.).

Note the How Do I? question area at the upper left of the search page for directions on how to explore more biography-specific search options.

Proquest Direct

Find full-text articles about people in subject-specific journals and many major U.S. newspapers

Tips:
To find interviews or obituaries in Basic Search, type in the name of a person
and then go to the More Options tab and choose obituary or interview from the
Document Type pull-down menu.

To search people in newspapers, click the Advanced Search tab.
Type in the name of a person in the first search box or choose Person from the pull-down menu to access a list of names.
In the "Database:" pull-down menu below the search boxes choose
News: Proquest Newspapers. You can further limit your search by using additional terms, such as biography.


Back to Biographical Information Online