Pathfinder: Locating Information About People

Scope|Overview Sources|Specialized Reference Sources|Circulating Books|Web Sites

*Also see the library's specialized pathfinders:

SCOPE:  Finding biographical information on a particular person may seem to be an overwhelming task. The student's first attempt may be to check in an encyclopedia or look online. However, there are many resources that are available that will provide reliable information about an individuals birth, education, and contributions to society. This pathfinder will serve as a guideline in locating resources that will help you find information on this topic.
There are sources located in the Reference Section of the Baddour Library that give a general overview or summary of that topic you are researching. The following is a list of some of the sources available in the library.

GENERAL OVERVIEW SOURCES (located in the Reference Collection)

REF CT 213.A68 2002 American National Biography

REF Q141.R44 1999 American Women Scientists: 23 Inspiring Biographies, 1900-2000

REF CT 103.V39 2001 The Penguin International Dictionary of Contemporary Biography from 1900 to the Present

REF CT 103.I68 2000 The International Who's Who 2001

There are also reference sources that focus on specific aspects of the topic; for example biographies of individuals from the Civil War period. The following is a list of specialized sources available in the library.

SPECIALIZED REFERENCE SOURCES

REF E467.H656 1999 American Civil War Biographies

REF E 187.5.S23 2000 Colonial America: Biographies

REF PS 21.D5 Dictionary of Literary Biography

REF E185.61.H359 1999 Distinguished African American Political and Governmental Leaders

REF D412, L45 1999 Encyclopedia of Heads of States and Governments, 1900 Through 1945

REF S926.A2 A94 1993 The Environmentalists: A Biographical Dictionary from the 17th Century to the Present

REF ML 105.H38 1996 The Harvard Biographical Dictionary of Music 

REF QA 76.2.A2 L44 1995b International Biographical Dictionary of Computer Pioneers

REF BL 72.L48 1999 Peculiar Prophets: A Biographical Dictionary of New Religions

REF TL 539.L57 1994 Whos Who in Aviation History: 500 Biographies

Some representative books from the circulating collection are:

CIRCULATING BOOKS (located in the upstairs section of the library)

*These are specific biographies that are representative of the many books available in the Library's collection

Eilersen, Gillian Stead. Bessie Head: Thunder Behind her Ears: Her Life and Writing. Portsmouth, N.H: Heinemann, 1996.

Gabor, Andrea. The Capitalist Philosophers: The Geniuses of Modern Business--Their Lives, Times, and Ideas. New York: Times Business, 2000.

Haynsworth, Leslie. Amelia Earhart's Daughters: The Wild and the Glorious Story of American Women Aviators from World War II to the Dawn of
the Space Age. New York: Perennial, 2000.

King, Martin Luther, Jr. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Warner Books, 2001.

Perdue, Theda. Sifters: Native American Women's Lives. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Titterington, Diane. Speaking of Flying: Personal Tales of Heroism, Humor, Talent and Terror from 44 Unique Aviators. San Clemente,CA: The Aviation Speakers Bureau, 2000.

Wagstaff, Patty. Fire and Air: A Life on the Edge. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 1997.

Wawro, Thaddeus. Radicals & Visionaries. Irvine, CA: Entrepreneur, 2000.

WEB SITES

Academy of Achievement
http://www.achievement.org/
The Academy of Achievement, also referred to as the “Museum of Living History” has created this excellent website that offers its viewers the opportunity to explore the lives of individuals who have influenced the world. Biographies, interviews, and profiles are featured. A unique resource for the history buff or scholar.

Updated 02/08/2007