BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

&

DIRECTORIES

PRESENTED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN A. JUAN LIS 240

History
Biography from the two Greek words bios, meaning life, and graphein, meaning to write - form of history which is applied to individuals rather than to nations or civilizations. - It is the purpose of biography to tell accurately the history of an individual from his birth to his death in a manner that will reveal the various aspects of his character, personality and philosophy.

Biographies cont.
History of Biography Plutarch wrote his Parallel Lives, the life histories of forty-six Greeks and Romans, towards the end of the first century A.D. John Dryden first used the word biography to describe the work of Plutarchs as the history of particular mens lives. - the meaning of biography has become established as a literary form

Biographies cont.
Other literary forms contribute to biography but must be distinguished from it are: Autobiography the narration of a persons life by himself, Memoirs the history of his times as seen by the individual who writes them Diary a day-to-day account of the happenings and events in a persons life, recorded by that person Letters written communications of a personal nature (as distinguished from belles-lettres, meaning literature), which may be intimate narratives, records of events, or expressions of the writers thoughts and philosophy.

Evaluating Biographical Sources

Selection Audience Length of Entry Authority Frequency Other Points (pictures, bibliographies, with sufficient cross-references, etc.)

TYPES OF BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

1. Index to Biography 2. Universal and Current Biographical Sources 3. Professional and Subject Biographies

INDEX TO BIOGRAPHY
According to Use: 1. For ready reference data type of information is required - key to some million entries found in biographical dictionaries and directories. - purpose: to reduce tedious searching of basic, generally current guides Example: Biography and Genealogy Index. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1980.

2.

For detailed information for research papers, projects, speeches and other presentation. - includes citations to biographies appearing in periodicals and selected books. - purpose: to offer a key to biographical information about persons living and dead in a wide variety of general sources Example: Biography Index. New York: the H.W. Wilson Company, 1947 to date. Quarterly with annual cummulations.

Other Examples of Biographical Index

BioBase 1984. New York: Master Cumulation, 1984. Microfische. Annual Supplements, 1985-86. Biography Almanac, 2nd ed., 1983, 2 vols.; Supplement, 1986, 200 pp. The New York Times Obituaries Index, 1858-1968. Sanford, North Carolina: Microfilming Corporation, 1970.

UNIVERSAL AND CURRENT BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Biographical Dictionaries Pseudonyms Directory: Whos who Form Essay form of biographical sources Retrospective essay form

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARIES
A biographical dictionary is a collection of sketches of varying lengths about the lives of individuals, arranged alphabetically by surname (Gates, 1974 ) Before the advent of the Biography and Genealogy Master Index, the biographical dictionary was a first place to turn to identify, qualify and generally discover basic facts about an individual (Katz, 1987)

History
In the 19th century, there appeared in most European countries publications called dictionaries of national biography, presenting biographical information about important national figures. Forerunners of the modern biographical dictionary, a work which combines biography (factual information about the life of an individual) and dictionary (alphabetical arrangement)

Kinds of Biographical Dictionaries

1. Universal not limited to any state, country or profession. a. Person no longer living b. Living persons National or Regional limited in coverage to particular countries or regions but including persons from all of the professions and occupations a. Person no longer living b. Living persons Professional or occupational limited to persons in a specific profession or occupation 3.1. Universal a. Person no longer living b. Living persons 3.2. National or Regional a. Person no longer living b. Living persons

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Choosing a Biographical Dictionary

It is helpful to establish the following facts about that person: 1. His dates of birth and death, if he is not living 2. His nationality 3. His profession or occupation

Choosing a Biographical Dictionary

Sources that will aid in establishing the needed facts: The card catalog The Cumulative Book Index The Biography Index Periodical Indexes A book by the person in question

Using a Biographical Dictionary

Read the preliminary pages to determine: 1. Whether the alphabetical arrangement is letter-by-letter or word-by-word; 2. What special features are included; 3. What abbreviations and symbols are used.

Examples of Biographical Dictionaries

Universal Biography A. Persons no longer living 1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary edited by J.O. Thorne. New York: St. Martins Press, 1968. Covers the great of all nations and all times (subtitle); gives pronunciation; has some 150,000 entries James, Edward T. (ed.). Notable American Women 1607-1950. A Biographical Dictionary. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971. 3 vols. Sponsored by Radcliffe College, covers 300 years of womens history in America; modeled after Dictionary of American Biography, includes women who have achieved distinction in their own right; includes bibliographies; articles are written by a person with special knowledge of the subject or her field (Preface) The McGraw-Hill an Encyclopedia of World Biography. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1972.12 vols. Includes persons not living and living persons; articles include basic biographical facts and commentary on persons background and character, evaluation of his role in history, a portrait whenever possible; Vol. XII contains historical maps, index, and study guides.

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4. New Century Cyclopedia of Names. New York : Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1954. 3 vols. Identifies proper names of importance today: persons, places, events, literary characters, plays operas, mythological and legendary names; provides a chronological table of world history. 5. Payton, Geoffrey (comp.). Websters Dictionary of Proper Names. Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam Company, 1970. Identifies over 10,000 contemporary and historical place-names, nicknames, and names from the arts, science, movies, sports, and other areas; includes names unique to America; grouped in 67 categories. 6. Websters Biographical Dictionary. Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam Company, 1972. Lists names of 40,000 noteworthy persons with pronunciation and concise biographies; is not limited by period, race religion, or occupation; includes table of heads of state and other high officials historical and contemporary.

B. Living persons 1.Current Biography. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1940. (Monthly except August.) Current Biography Yearbook, 1946- . Aims to cover all important contemporary figures in all fields; includes pronunciation for unusual names, a photograph of the biographee, and a bibliography of the sources used. Yearbooks contain indexes by names and professions and a cumulated five-year index. 1.Dictionary of International Biography. 10th ed. Cambridge: International Biographical Centre, 1972. 2 vols. First published in 1963, it aims to be a record of contemporary achievement; reports personal information, professional positions, publications, honors; covers many countries and many walks of life. 1.International Whos Who. London: Europa Publications, Ltd., 1935(Annual). Includes sketches of important people in the world today. .

4. The New York Times Biographical Edition : A Compilation of Current Biographical Information of General Interest. New York: New York Times, 1970- . (Weekly.) Gives profiles of people in the news; contains 20-50 articles each week reprinted from the Times; represents all sections of the country; some are obituaries; some are news items; others are interviews. National or Regional Biography A. Persons no longer living 1.Appletons Cyclopedia of American Biography. Rev. Ed. New York: D. Appleton and Company, Inc., 1887-1900. 7 vols. Includes all important persons identified with American histroy from its earliest beginnings; has lengthy articles and many portraits. 2.Dictionary of American Biography. Published under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1928-1944. 21 vols. Supplement 2. To December 31, 1940. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1958. (First supplement is Vol.21)

(cont... Dictionary of American Biography) A scholarly work; provides lengthy signed articles and bijliography. Supplement 3, 1941-1945. 1973. 3. Concise Dictionary of American Biography. Edited by Joseph G. E. Hopkins. New York : Charles Scribners Sons, 1964. Provides in one volume the essential facts of each biographee in the larger work (through 1940); useful for quick reference. B. Living persons 1. The National Cyclopedia of American Biography. Includes living persons in the Current series. 2. Whos Who in America. London: A.& C. Black, Ltd., 1849- . (Annual.) The first whos who; includes persons of distinction in all fields; covers Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations.

3. Whos who in America. Chicago: Marquis Whos Who, Inc., 1899-- . (Biennial.) Includes persons of special prominence in every line of work and those who are selected arbitrarily because of their position in government, religion, education, ; industry, and other fields. 1972-1973 edition is in 2 volumes. 4. Whos Who in the World. Chicago: Marquis Whos Who, Inc., 1970. Aims to identify improtant personalities of the world; contains 25,000 names from some 150 countries of persons who are shaping todays world and tomorrows future chosen by members of the Marquis staff. Note : There are biographical dictionaries by race, by section of a country, and by profession.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography An illustrated collection of more than 57,000 specially written biographies of the men and women from around the world who shaped all aspects of Britain's past. The Oxford DNB was published in print and online in 2004. It is extended with three annual updates (each January, May and October), adding new biographies from the Romans to the 21st century. Covers prominent deceased persons from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as well as those from British colonies and non-British citizens who lived in England and contributed to its history.

PSEUDONYMS
Pseudonyms and Nicknames Dictionary, 2nd ed.. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1982. 995 pp. - listing of about 50,000 pseudonyms and nicknames. - covers all periods and most of the world - information includes birth and death dates, nationality and occupation.

Directory: Whos who Form

Lists only the living, and only those in outstanding position. Purpose: to present objective, usually non-controversial facts about an individual. Common questions they answer: (1) Where does X live, or receive email?, (2) What is Xs age and position?, (3) What has X written?, (4) What honors does X claim?

Examples: Whos who in America. Chicago: Marquis Whos Who, Inc., 1899-- . (Biennial.) Includes persons of special prominence in every line of work and those who are selected arbitrarily because of their position in government, religion, education, ; industry, and other fields. 1972-1973 edition is in 2 volumes. International Whos Who. London: Europa Publications, Ltd., 1935- . (Annual). Includes sketches of important people in the world today. Whos Who. London: Black, 1849 to date, annual (distributed in the United States by St. Martins Press, Inc.)

Essay Form of Biographical Sources

- essay length biographical aids Examples: Current Biography. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1940 to date, monthly except August. The New York Times Biographical Service: A Compilation of Current Biographical Information of General Interest. Sanford, North Carolina: Microfilming Corporation of America, 1970 to date, monthly.

RETROSPECTIVE ESSAY FORM

Examples: Dictionary of American Biography. Published under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1928-1944. 21 vols. Supplement 2. To December 31, 1940. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1958. (First supplement is Vol.21) James, Edward T. (ed.). Notable American Women 16071950. A Biographical Dictionary. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971. 3 vols. Dictionary of National Biography. Edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee, 1885 to 1901; reissue, London: Oxford University Press, 1938, 21 vols. and supplement; 2nd to 8th supplements, 1912-1986.

PROFESSIONAL AND SUBJECT BIOGRAPHIES growth in education and increase in the number of professions resulted in the proliferation of specialized biographical sources.

Examples
BUSINESS
Biographical Dictionary of Business Leaders. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1983, 4 vols. Standard and Poors Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives. New York: Standard & Poors, 1928 to date, annual, 3 vols.

Examples
Librarianship Whos Who in Library and Information Services. Chicago: American Library Association, 1982, 559 pp. Literature World Authors, 1950 1970. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1975, 1594 pp. Supplement: World Authors 1970 1975, 1979, 893 pp. World Authors 1975 1980, 1985, 829 pp.

Examples of Filipiniana Biographical Sources

Directorio Biografico Filipino / ed. P. Reyes Manila: Imp. Y Litografia Germania Alix, 1908. A compilation of biographies of famous Filipinos who lived in the 19th century. Among those included are: Mariano Abella, Sergio Osmena, Emilio Aguinaldo, Jose Paterno, etc. Builders of a Nation: Series of Biographical Sketches / Morilla M. Norton. Manila: [1914]. 266 p. It is a collection of biographies of the leading figures in the Philippines at that time. Includes writings of Mariano Ponce about the Philippines; Epifanio de los Santos on Literature; Gregorio Nieva on the Philippine Assembly; and Austin Craig on the history of the University of the Philippines. Whos who in the Philippines / Rodrigo C. Lim Manila: Claudio Nera, [c1929] 213 p. A compilation of biographies, with portraits, of successful men and women of the Philippines at that time.

Examples of Filipiniana Biographical Sources

Whos who in the Philippines: a Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men of the Philippine Islands. / Franz J. Weisblatt Manila: McCollough Printing, 1937. 2 v. Biographies of notable living men in the Philippines before WWII, including foreigners. Gives general information and statistics about the Philippines. Dictionary of Philippine Biography / Espiridion Arsenio Manuel Quezon City: Filipiniana Publications, 1955 v. A dictionary of biographical sketches of deceased men and women who made significant contributions to Philippine life and progress. Information include: name, dates of birth and death, field, parentage, occupation and distinction of ancestors, education, activities, family data and bibliography of works. All volumes are from A-Z with separate name and subject index for each volume. Philippines Whos Who / Isidro L. Retizos and D.H. Soriano Quezon City: Capitol Pub. House, [c1957]. 327 p. Consists of 400 living Filipinos and members of the foreign community.

Examples of Filipiniana Biographical Sources

Filipinos in History Manila: National Institute, 1989 -. v. A Continuing compilation of biographies of noted Filipinos whose lives, works, deeds and contributions to the historical development of the country serve as inspirations to every Filipino. Vol. I: Jose Abad Santos to Vicente Lim; vol.2: Mariano Llanera to Jose Clemente Zulueta; vol. 3: Antonio Abad to Lorenzo Zialcita; and vol. 4: Vicente Abad Santos to Zobel. 100 Taon: !00 Filipina sa Digmaan at Kapayapaan / Leonarda N. Camacho. Quezon City: SBA Printers, c2000. [248 p.]. Tungkol ito sa 100 Filipinang malaki ang naging papel sa kasaysayan nang ating bansa. May kasamang mga larawan.

DIRECTORIES
A directory lists the names and addresses of persons, organizations, or institutions. It may provide other pertinent information, such as the purposes, the dues, and the officers of organizations. Directories, which list persons or organizations in alphabetical or classified arrangement, includes addresses and affiliations for individuals and officers and other data for organizations.

DIRECTORIES
ALA Glossary of Library Terms defines a directory as a list of persons or organizations, systematically arranged, usually in alphabetical or classed order, giving addresses, affiliations, etc., for individuals, and address, officers, functions and similar data for organizations. The first directory compiled was the Doomsday Book in 1086 by William I or William the Conqueror (used for tax purposes)

USES OF DIRECTORIES
To find out an individuals or a firms address or telephone number; The find out the full name of an individual, a firm, or an organization; The description of a particular manufacturers product or a service; Who is for example, the president of a firm, or the head of school, etc. Limited, but up-to-date, biographical information on an individual whether still president, chairperson, or with this or that of a company, etc. Historical and current data about an institution, a firm, or a political group when it was founded, how many members it had;

USES OF DIRECTORIES cont.

The data for commercial use, such as selecting a list of individuals, companies or organizations for a mailing in a particular area; Random or selective samplings in a social or commercial surveys, for which they are basic sources. Verify names / spellings Match individuals with organizations that can answer / help their information needs.

SCOPE
1. Local Directories limited geographical audience a. Telephone books b. City directories 2. Governmental Directories includes guides to post offices, army and navy posts, and different services offered by the governments. 3. Institutional Directories lists of schools, foundations, libraries, hospitals, museums and similar organizations. 4. Trade and Business Directories mainly lists of manufacturers information about companies, industries and personal services. 5. Investment Services closely related to trade and business directories, give detail reports on public and private corporations and companies 6. Professional Directories largely lists of professional organizations such as those relating to law, medicine, librarianship, etc.

Directory of Directories
provides listings and descriptions of various directories e.g. Directories in Print formerly Directory of Directories City and State Directories in Print has little overlap with Directories in print International Directories in Print Organizations Master Index

Examples of Directories
Encyclopedia of Associations. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1972. Covers national organizations of the United States (vol. I), with a geographic and executive index (Vol.II), and a list of new associations and projects (Vol. III). Gives information on 15,000 national, nonprofit membership organizations grouped by categories according to principal interest; includes foreign groups of interest in America and local and regional associations in the United States. The Foundation Directory. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. Prepared by the Foundation Library Center, gives information on more than 6,000 foundations, their fields of interest and their personnel. Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. By Anthony Kruzas. Detroit: Gale Research Company. Lists 13,000 special libraries and information centers, together with facts regarding sponsorship, location, specialization, staff and size of collection.

Examples of Directories
Official Directory for the Use of the United States Congress 1809-. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Includes a wide variety of information concerning members of Congress, committees, other bodies of the government, independent agencies, diplomatic representatives, governors and members of the press. Comparative Guide in American College. New York: Harper and Row. 704 pp. Everything from admission requirements and the racial composition of the student body to the amount of social life is considered in a standard form.

ISBN: 978-1-85743-510-8 Binding: Hardback Published by: Routledge Publication Date: 26th June 2009 Pages: 2482

Published annually since 1935, the International Whos Who is now in its seventy-third edition. Providing hard-to-find biographical details for over 22,000 of the worlds most prominent and influential personalities, this outstanding reference work records the lives and achievements of men and women from almost every profession and activity from heads of state to sporting greats. Each biography is customized and includes specific information provided to us by each member. Each members personalized information is included under these sections: Business Information which focuses on what the company does and what the members responsibilities are. Employment Historylists significant positions, company names, and dates of employment. Associations and Accomplishmentsdocuments notable achievements. Educational History focuses on schools attended, degrees attained along with other schools or special certifications. Lastly, Personal Informationincludes marital status, spouses name, year married, childrens names and hobbies or special activity interests.

References:
Katz, William A. Introduction to Reference Work. 5th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1987. Gates, Jean Key Gates. Guide to the Use of Books and Libraries. 3rd edition.