How to do a Biographical Search at the Valle Verde Library
Visit the Reference Area and consult the following sources:
- General Encyclopedias
- Encyclopedias such as World Book and Britannica provide articles that are very well
organized and easy to follow.
- Almanac of Famous People (Ref CT104.A55 1989)
- Index to more than 25,000 "famous and infamous" newsmakers from Biblical times to the present. Includes chronological, geographical and profession indexes.
- American Reformers (Ref CT215.A67 1985)
- Biographical sketches of the principal reformers in America from the 17th century to modern times.
- Celebrity Sources (Ref CT120.Z54 1990)
- Bibliography (list of sources) about famous people in show-business and sports today.
- Current Biography 1940- (Ref CT100.C8)
- Biographical essays on major world figures. It includes a Cumulative Index for 1940-1985.
- Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography (Ref CT103.T57)
- Includes people involved in the history of the American Frontier.
- Forjadores del mundo moderno (Ref CT119.U5)
- Spanish source about people who have changed the world.
- Great Lives from History
- Covers lives of historically significant individuals from ancient times to 20th century. Includes a list of additional sources you can refer to.
- Ancient and Medieval Series (Ref CT113.G74)
- Renaissance to 1900 Series (Ref CT104.G68)
- American Series (Ref CT214.G74)
- British And Commonwealth Series (Ref CT774G74)
- McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography (REF CT103.M27)
- 5,000 Articles about "the lives of representative men and women whose achievements are important to our understanding of our social and cultural history."
- St. James Guide to Biography (Ref CT 101.S69 1991)
- Entries about people who have achieved fame or notoriety.
- Texas Biographical Dictionary (Ref CT262.T47 1996)
- People, past and present, who have made history or news in Texas.
- Webster's Biographical Dictionary (Ref CT103.W4 1976)
- Emphasis on American and British persons.
- Who's Who in America (Ref E176.W642)
- A yearly publication with brief entries.
You may find more information if you look in specialized encyclopedias or dictionaries on
the subject area of the person you are researching. For example:
- If you are looking for a historical figure:
- Dictionary of American Biography (Ref E176.D56)
- If you are looking for a woman:
- Famous American Women (Ref HQ1412.F35)
- If you are looking for an artist:
- McGraw Hill Dictionary of Art (Ref N33.M23)
- If you are looking for an author:
- Contemporary Authors (Ref PN700.C59)
Search the ONLINE CATALOG for books and videos that you can check out!
- Look under SUBJECT. Type the last name, first name of the person you are looking for.
Search the C.D.-ROM and Online Periodical Indexes for current personalities:
- Ebsco
- NewsBank
- New York Times Index
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Last Updated: December 15, 1999.
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