Obituaries about an individual can be a good way to find biographical information. The major indexes and bibliographical databases in Archie Dykes Library include obituaries. Use the Searching Tips for assistance in searching the databases and the indexes.

Major Biographical Sources

Eponym Books

Many syndromes are named after the people who discovered them. While not all of these books give information about the people that the syndromes are named for, a biographical search may include information about the syndromes that a person described. These books also give brief clinical information about the syndromes and eponymic diseases described as well as references to articles. You might also try the website whonamedit.com.

Dictionary of Medical Syndromes

Ready Reference
WB
15
M188d
1997

Jablonski's Dictionary of Syndromes and Eponymic Diseases

A searchable version of this classic resource is also available online.

Ready Reference
WB
15
J13i
1991

Encyclopedias

You can find information about scientists and other persons of national or international importance in the general encyclopedias listed below. Both encyclopedias can be found in the ready reference area.

World Book Encyclopedia

This general encyclopedia is aimed at elementary grade students through adults. Articles are concise and clear. Illustrations are often included.

OCLC World Almanac

This online resource of general information is available online at A.R. Dykes Library. It includes Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia along with four almanacs.

Healthcare and Science Biographical Sources

American Men and Women of Science

This multivolume set is published every several years and profiles over 300,000 living scientists and engineers. Scientists are selected for inclusion if they have distinguished achievement, high quality research, or hold a position of high level responsibility in a science or engineering field.

Reference
Q
141
A512
2003

Blacks in Science and Medicine

This volume gives biographical information for over 1500 black scientists, inventors, engineers and health professionals in the United States. Both dead and living scientists are listed.

Reference
W
22
.AA1
A189b
1990

Dictionary of American Medical Biography

This two volume set provides brief biographical sketches of medical figures from the 17th, 18th,19th and 20th century. Includes those who died in 1976 or before.

Reference
WZ
140
.AA1
D5
1984

Medical Discoveries: Medical Breakthroughs and the People Who Developed Them

This 3-volume set contains basic information on 215 medical and dental inventions and discoveries as well as the people who are responsible for them. It is arranged alphabetically and is written in everyday language. A timeline of medical events is also included.

Reference
WZ
13
W489
1997
v.1,v.2, v.3

Medical Discoveries: Who and When

This book is an alphabetical listing of medical discoveries, inventions, and diseases. The name of the discoverer and the date of the discovery are given. Note the publication date in the call number.

Reference
WZ
13
Sch54m
1959

Notable Twentieth Century Scientists

This four-volume set provides biographical information on approximately 1,300 scientists active in the twentieth-century in all of the natural, physical, and applied sciences. Entries also include selected writings by the scientist and they list other sources for readers seeking additional information. Four indexes are also included. These are Field of Specialization Index, a Gender Index, A Nationality/Ethnicity Index, and a Subject Index.

Reference
Q
141
N899
1995

Notable Women in the Life Sciences: A Biographical Dictionary

This book provides "biographical information about 97 women who have made significant contributions to the life sciences from antiquity to the present." The emphasis is on twentieth-century women. The entries are cross-referenced and a bibliography is present for each entry. Two appendices are present. One lists the scientists by field, the other lists scientists by awards received.

Reference
WZ
112
N899
1996

The Person Behind the Syndrome

This book includes approximately 200 biographies of men and women who described various syndromes which bear their names. About half of these biographies includes photographs and a full page of description. The other 100 biographies are briefer.

Reference
WZ
112
P467
1997

Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare

"Contains the biographies of approximately 28,000 medical administrators, educators, researchers, clinicians, and other healthcare leaders" from the United States and other nations. Professions that provide support to the healthcare industry are also included.

Reference
W
22
.AA1
W63
2000-2001

International Biographical Sources

International Who's Who in Medicine

Published intermittently, this volume provides biographical data on prominent persons living at the time of publication.

Reference
W
22.1
I61
1987

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