Michael Schwartz Library

Virtual Reference Desk: Biographical Resources

BBC Historic Figures: Archived source of historical biographies. This site is not currently being updated as the BBC is migrating to a new platform.
Biography.com: Over 20,000 brief entries.
Biography Reference Bank: Available on campus or by remote authentication. Contains biographical information on approximately half a million people, from antiquity to the present, along with thousands of images.
CSU Michael Schwartz Library Catalog (Scholar): Search Subject by person's last name and then first i.e. Jefferson, Thomas. You can also search by the Subject "biography" which can be limited to a specific type of biography i.e. Biography -- 17th century or the search can be limited by material type i.e. ebook. Electronic materials may only be available on campus or by remote authentication.
Cleveland Public Library Biographical Databases: Requires a CPL card and pin number.
Cuyahoga County Library Biographical Database: Requires a library card and pin number. Click on Biography in the resources listing.
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: Deceased only.
Gale eBooks: Available on campus or by remote authentication.
InfoPlease — People: Biographies of presidents, athletes, justices, entertainers, world leaders, and more people. 30,000+ entries.
The Internet Public Library: Biographies: Listing of online biographical sources.
Literary Reference Center Plus: A comprehensive database that provides users with a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and timeframes. Available on campus or by remote authentication.
Nexis Uni (formerly Lexis-Nexis Academic): Available on campus or by remote authentication. Search for person's name i.e. Jobs, Steve and then limit to directories.
Oxford Reference Online: Digitized entries across Oxford's Dictionaries, Companions and Encyclopedias. To view only "available" entries limit to unlocked or free. Available on campus or by remote authentication.
SweetSearch Biographies: Offers profiles and outstanding search results for thousands of famous-or infamous-people from many walks of life, professions and countries, spanning many centuries.
Time: The 100 Most Influential People