How Much Do Information Do You Need?

The sources listed below have briefer information, anywhere from a paragraph to several pages. These are a mix of print and online resources. If you have questions about how to access any of these, contact a library. 

The second step in looking for biographical information is to focus your search. Many biography sources specialize in their coverage. Think about the following factors.

Why Is the Person Famous?

Many sources of brief biographies are dedicated to specific subjects, such as writers, scientists, politicians, etc.

When Did the Person Live?

Some sources only cover living people, some only dead, some are a mix. Also think about how long a living person has been famous. The more recent the person, the less likely it is they will appear in reference sources. Magazine articles and the web are probably going to be more useful.

Where Did the Person Live?

Some sources only cover Americans, some only non-Americans.

• If you already know the title of a specific biography, just use the Title section of the library catalog.
• If you are looking for a biography of a specific person, use the General Subjects section and type in the person’s last name and then first name.
• If you want biographies of people in a specific discipline, use the Keywords section and type in the discipline and the word "biography," for example: mathematicians and biography.

Books about a person are usually shelved together, so when you look for the call number for a book, look at the other titles nearby.

General Sources

Over 25,000 people from all fields and all countries, both living and deceased. Many entries are very brief.

Very short entries on 20,000 people. Deceased people are included but those currently in the news are emphasized.

Links to thousands of biographies from all over the web, so you will all sorts of different results. This site arranges them both alphabetically and by topics.

Select the "Person Search" option. Results may include a variety of sources: reference sources, magazine and newspaper articles, and primary sources. 

Encyclopedias will have short biographies. While they emphasize historical figures, some encyclopedias, especially those on the web, will also include contemporary figures if they are quite famous.

For Contemporary Figures

Two or three page articles on a wide variety of individuals. Goes back to 1940.

Most online indexes will have the full-text of articles from thousands of magazines, journals, and newspapers. Go to our list of web-based databases to select one, such as Academic Search Premier. The librarian can help you choose the best index for your person. 

If your person has not been famous for long or is only famous in a very specific field, articles in periodicals are often the only sources of information.

For Authors

Dictionary of Literary Biography
 

Available on the web to ACC students and staff 

These three reference sources have mainly biographical information, with literary criticism included sometimes. For information about writers of nonfiction, Contemporary Authors is the most useful All of them are good for fiction writers. Dictionary of Literary Biography has the most in-depth information.

For Historical Figures

Over 20 volumes with detailed articles on dead Americans. Be sure to check the cumulative index because there are several supplement volumes.

Available on the web to ACC students and staff 

Each of these 
This databases has a "People" section that lets you search for specific names or by categories, such as gender or occupations.

Includes many short biographies of dead Texans. Search for a specific name.

For Scientists, Artists, Politicians and Others

ACC Study Guide Series

Page author: RW
Last updated 8/27/03 (reviewed 7/27/06)