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Biographies
Biographies give us information about the history of a person's life and their accomplishments. Biographical resources are found in almost any reference source, including dictionaries, almanacs, and encyclopedias. Below is a list of general and subject-specific biographical resources found at the UTSA 1604 Campus and Downtown Library.
General Biographical Resources
Academic Universe Biographical Information (UTSA subscription)
Get background information on a politician, movie star, sports great or any other person in the news. Go to Academic Universe and choose "Reference" then "Biographical Information" from the contents page. Full text.
A & E Biography
Free Website: http://www.biography.com/
Official site of A & E's Biography television series. The material at this site is from the Columbia Biographical Dictionary. Over 25,000 individuals are represented.
American National Biography
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT213 .A68 1999 v. 1-24
Contains portraits of 17,450 men and women from all eras and all walks of life who have shaped American history and culture.
Biographical Dictionary
Free Website: http://www.s9.com/biography/
This dictionary includes more than 28,000 notable men and women who have shaped our world from ancient times to the present day. The website can be searched by names, birth years, death years, positions held, professions, literary and artistic works and other keywords.
Biography and Genealogy Master Index (UTSA subscription)
Location: JPL Reference Stacks Z5305 .U5 B56 1980 Suppl. 1980-1999
Authoritative and comprehensive index to biographical information found in dictionaries, handbooks, subject encyclopedias, and other library sources of contemporary and historical figures throughout the world. Citations only
Biography Index (UTSA subscription)
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT105 .B5
Index to citations to biographies, obituaries, interviews, and other biographical materials from English-language books and journal articles. Citations only
Biography Resource Center + The Complete Marquis Who's Who (UTSA subscription)
A comprehensive database of biographical information from all time periods, disciplines and geographic areas, including more than 400,000 biographies from reference works such as Contemporary Authors; Encyclopedia of World Biography; Newsmakers; Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television; Contemporary Musicians; Historic World Leaders; Notable Twentieth-Century Scientists; and the International Dictionary of Art and Artists, among others. In addition, there are nearly 1 million thumbnail biographies from the Complete Marquis Who's Who, including Who's Who in America, Who Was Who in America, and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. Also featured are full-text biographical profiles from more than 250 periodicals. Updated regularly. Full Text
Britannica Online (UTSA subscription)
Online version of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Also contains a number of special-interest resources, such as Shakespeare and Britannica's Guide to the Nobel Prizes. Full Text
Current Biography/Current Biography Yearbook
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT100 .C8
A collection of biographical sketches of prominent persons in the news with a photograph. Coverage is 1940 to current.
InfoPlease Almanac : Biography
Free Website: http://www.infoplease.com/people.html
Brief biographies and links to other sites (some pay).
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Location: JPL Reference Stacks DA28 .O95 2004 v. 1-61
50,000 biographies of people who shaped the history of the British Isles and beyond, from the earliest times to the year 2001.
Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT213 .S37 1998 v. 1-6
SEAL profiles the careers and achievements of Americans who have made significant contributions.
Who's Who or Who Was Who Series
These concise biographies are usually grouped by special categories such as fields of work or geographical areas of the country or the world. To locate books from either series, simply go to the UCAT (library online catalog) and perform a title search.
Examples:
who's who
who was who
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Art & Music Biographical Resources
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists
Location: Reference N33 .C59
This dictionary offers brief biographical information on western art from Ancient Greece to the present. It includes artists and their work, patrons and dealers, collectors and writers, materials and techniques and museums and galleries.
Contemporary Artists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N6490 .C6567
Each descriptive entry provides a biography, lists of both individual and group exhibitions, selected listing of public galleries and museums, comments by the artist on his or her own work and an essay discussing the artist.
Dictionary of Art
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N31 .D5 1996 v.1-34
This 34 volume dictionary provide biographies of artists and others who have influenced art over the centuries.
The Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N31 .M8
Contains brief biographies of artists.
Who's Who in American Art
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N6536 .W5
Biographical directory of contemporary artists, collectors, critics, curators and dealers.
World Artists, 1950-1980
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N6489 .M37
Contains biographies of 312 artists who worked during this 30 year period. Each entry includes a career outline, a lists of exhibitions and collections, and a bibliography.
World Artists, 1980-1990
Location: JPL Reference Stacks N6489 .M37
Contains over 100 artists influential from the 1980's. Each entry includes a fairly substantial biographical sketch, lists of exhibition and gallery/museum collections lists, and a bibliography.
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Hispanic Biographical Resources
Contemporary Hispanic Biography
Location: Gale Virtual Reference Library (UTSA subscription)
Provides biographical profiles of persons of various nationalities in a wide variety of fields, including architecture, art, business, dance, education, fashion, film, industry, journalism, law, literature, medicine, music, politics and government, publishing, religion, science and technology, social issues, sports, television, and theater.
Diccionario Porrúa de historia, biografía y geografía de México
Location: JPL Reference Stacks F1204 .D56 v. 1-4
Location: Downtown Library Reference F1204 .D56 v. 1-4
Includes many short biographies of notable Mexican figures from all fields. Also includes entries for Mexican locations, historical events, and other terms. In Spanish. 4 volumes.
Dictionary of Hispanic Biography
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT1343 .D53
Biographical entries on almost 500 prominent, mostly contemporary U.S. Latino, Latin American and Spanish individuals.
Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture
Location: JPL Reference Stacks F1406 .E53 v. 1-5
Location: Downtown Library Reference F1406 .E53 1996 v. 1-5
This comprehensive and up-to-date source contains biographies and bibliographies of numerous contemporary and historical Latin Americans. Illustrations and photographs are also included.
Encyclopedia of Mexico: History, Society and Culture
Location: JPL Reference Stacks F1210 .E63 v. 1-2
This multidisciplinary encyclopedia includes biographies of famous historic individuals who have shaped the society and culture of Mexico.
The Hispanic-American Almanac: A Reference Work on Hispanics in the United States
Location: JPL Stacks Folio E184 .S75 H557
Discusses a broad range of important aspects of Hispanic social life and culture in the United States. Includes a chronology, a historical overview and biographies of Hispanic Americans.
Notable Latino Americans: A Biographical Dictionary
Location: JPL Reference Stacks E184 .S75 M435
Location: Downtown Library Reference E184 .S75 M435
Also available online through netLibrary
This biographical resource has an exclusive focus on U.S. Latinos. Entries include short bibliographies for further reading.
El Poder de la Palabra
Free Website: http://www.epdlp.com/
Biographies, bibliographies, and text excerpts on writers, composers, architects and actors worldwide, including an extensive selection of outstanding Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese authors.
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Literature Biographical Resources
Authors on the Web
Free website: http://www.people.Virginia.EDU/~jbh/author.html
A collection of biographical sketches of various authors.
Contemporary Authors (UTSA subscription)
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PS129 .C6 v.1-173
Brief biographical information about current writers of all varieties of literature. Also available online through Literature Resource Center. Full text.
Contemporary Literary Criticism (UTSA subscription)
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PN771 .C59 v.1-118
Find in-depth information on the lives and writings of nearly 100,000 authors along with critical reaction to their works. Also available online through Literature Resource Center. Full text.
Dictionary of Literary Biography (UTSA subscription)
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PS21 .D5
Professional careers of literary figures, biography, bibliography of works by and about the author, and critical reception of literary work. Also available online through Literature Resource Center. Full text.
Latin American Writers
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PQ7081 .A1 L37 v. 1-3
Includes scholarly biographies and literary criticism on major Latin American authors.
Literature Resource Center (UTSA subscription)
Provides access to biographies, bibliographies and critical analysis of authors from every age and literary discipline. This database covers more than 90,000 biographies on novelists, poets, essayists, journalists and other writers, with in-depth coverage of 2,000 of the most studied authors. Full text.
Poetry Criticism
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PN1010 .P62 v. 1-24
Contains literary criticisms and biographical information on poets.
Short Story Criticism
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PN3373 .S39 v. 1- 33
Contains literary criticisms and biographical information on short story writers.
Something About the Author
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PN451 .S6 v.1-105
Contains facts and pictures about contemporary authors and illustrators of books for young people.
Something About the Author: Autobiography Series
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PN451 .S62 v.1-26
Companion series to Something About the Author. Includes autobiographical information on authors of children's literature.
Spanish-American Women Writers: A Bibliographical Research Checklist
Location: JPL Reference Stacks PQ7081 .C66
Includes literary criticism and biographical information on 50 major women writers in Latin America.
Twentieth Century Literary Criticism
Location: JPL Reference PN771 .G27 v.1-45
Contains literary criticisms and biographical information on 20th century authors.
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Political Biographical Resources
The Almanac of American Politics
Location: JPL Reference Stacks JK271 .B343polit
Current biographical sketches of senators, representatives, and governors.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989
Location: JPL Reference Stacks JK1010 .A5
Biographies of all members of Congress through 1989.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Free Website: http://bioguide.congress.gov/
This government site includes biographies of the more than 13,000 individuals who have served in the U.S. Congress from 1789 and in the Continental Congress between 1774 and 1789. In addition to the biographies of Senators, Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners and Vice Presidents, this site contains guides to research collections and extended bibliographies.
Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch, 1774-1989
Location: JPL Reference Stacks E176 .B578 1990
Biographies of cabinet members and others through 1989.
Congressional Directory
Free Website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/index.html
Biographical information on members of congress.
Congressional Quarterly's Politics in America
Location: JPL Reference Stacks JK1010 .P64
Biographies of congressional members including committee assignments, voting records, interest groups , achievements, and detailed descriptions of their congressional district.
Encyclopedia of the American Presidency
Location: JPL Reference Stacks JK511 .E53 v. 1-4
Includes brief biographical references of Presidents of the United States.
International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who
Location: JPL Reference Stacks JA51 .I57
Contains concise biographical sketches of 20th century leaders in government.
POTUS: Presidents of the United States
Free Website: http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/
Includes background information, election results, cabinet members, and notable events, with links to biographies, historical documents, audio and video files, and other presidential sites.
Vice Presidents of the United States, 1789-1993
Location: JPL Reference Stacks E176.49 .V53
Biographies of Vice Presidents of the United States.
Who's Who in American Politics
Location: JPL Stacks Folio E176 .W6424
Biographies of U.S. political leaders participating in various areas of politics at the local, state, and nationals levels.
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Scientific Biographical Resources
American Men and Women of Science
Location: JPL Reference Stacks Q141 .A47
Profiles of living scientists in the physical and biological fields as well as public health scientists, engineers, mathematicians, statisticians and computer scientists.
Biographical Dictionary of American Science: 17th-19th Century
Location: JPL Reference Stacks Q141 .E37
Covers scientists in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, and allied specialties who were born between 1606-1807.
Biographical Dictionary of Scientists...Astronomers
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QB35 .B56 1984
Biologists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QH26 .B54 1984
Chemists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QD21 .B48 1984
Engineers & Inventors
Location: JPL Reference Stacks TA139 .B56 1986
Mathematicians
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QA28 .B54 1986
New Dictionary of Scientific Biography
Location: JPL Reference Stacks Q141 .N45 2008
Biographies of important natural scientists and mathematicians.
Physicists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QC15 .B56 1984
ECHO: Exploring and Collecting : Science & Technology
Free Website:
http://echo.gmu.edu/
ECHO provides a centralized guide for those looking for the scattered Web sites on the history of science and technology, including biographies.
MacTutor History of Mathematics: Biographies
Free Website: http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/BiogIndex.html
Includes biographical information of Mathematicians throughout history. Search by using the alphabetical name or chronological index.
Notable Black American Scientists
Location: JPL Reference Stacks Q141 .N726 1999
Notable Mathematicians: From Ancient Times to the Present
Location: JPL Reference Stacks QA28 .N66 1998
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Women's Biographical Resources
Distinguished Women of Past and Present
Free Website: http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/
Danuta Bois' biographical collection of women who have contributed to our culture in many different ways.
Notable American Women, 1607-1950; A Biographical Dictionary
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT3260 .N57 v. 1-3
This set includes 1,359 biographical sketches of American women who made a distinctive contribution to American life written by specialists in the particular field.
Notable American Women: The Modern Period; A Biographical Dictionary
Location: JPL Reference Stacks CT3260 .N573
This source acts as a supplement to the preceding work Notable American Women, 1607-1950. Contains biographical entries on 442 women who died between 1951 and 1975.
Notable Black American Women
Location: JPL Reference Stacks E185.96 .N68 1992
Contains biographies of 800 African-American women including many photographs.
Notable Hispanic American Women and Notable Hispanic American Women II
Location: JPL Reference Stacks E184.S75 N68
Profile of nearly 300 prominent, mostly contemporary, women of U.S. Latino, Latin American, and Spanish descent. Short biographies of famous Hispanic American women with some illustrations.
Women in Particular: An Index to American Women
Location: JPL Reference Stacks HQ1412 .H47
An index to biographies of American women who made life accomplishments. Most of the women indexed are no longer alive.
Women in Congress, 1917-1990
Location: JPL Stacks Folio JK1030.A2 W65
Contains a brief biography of all women who have served or are currently serving in the House of Representatives.
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Books
Books and Materials at the UTSA Library
UCAT, UTSA Library Online Catalog
Search UCAT to locate books, journal titles (not articles), government documents, maps and multimedia materials available at the UTSA Library. Read the Search Tips to learn how to conduct a better search.
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